Academy Award-winning actress Emma Thompson has spoken out against the film industry's lack of representation, following the release of a new study that reveals a staggering 63% of hit films star a man named Chris.
The research, conducted by the Age Without Limits campaign, analysed a dataset of 500 successful films released in the UK between 2010 and 2022. The results show that films starring a man named Chris are significantly more likely to be successful than those starring a woman over 60.
'Absolutely ludicrous,' Thompson said of the findings. 'It's clear that the film industry has a long way to go in terms of representation. We need to see more women in leading roles, and we need to see more diversity on screen.'
The study's findings have sparked concern among industry experts, who argue that the under-representation of women over 60 is a reflection of a broader issue: the lack of opportunities for women in the film industry.
'This study highlights a problem that we've been warning about for years,' said Dr. Rachel Jenkins, a leading expert on women's representation in film. 'The film industry needs to take action to address this issue and ensure that women are given equal opportunities.'