Jessica Chastain Quotes About Women in Movies at Cannes 2017

Say that, @jes_chastain. pic.twitter.com/H7QHnEE5JA

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) May 29, 2017

Jessica Chastain isn't happy about female representation in film, and she let her feelings be known at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. During a press conference following a screening of Sofia Coppola's Beguiled on Sunday, the actress and jury member of the festival talked about the "disturbing" trend she witnessed after watching 20 films in 10 days. "The one thing I really took away from this experience is how the world views women," she said. "It was quite disturbing to me, to be honest. There are some exceptions. For the most part, I was surprised by the representation of female characters on screen in these films. I do hope that when we include more female storytellers, we will have more of the women that I recognize in my day-to-day life. Ones that are proactive, that have their own agencies. They just don't react to the men around them. They have their own point-of-view." Sofia is also only the second woman to win best director in the Cannes's 71-year history.

It didn't take long for Jessica's words to go viral on social media. A Wrinkle in Time's director Ava DuVernay tweeted a video of the interview, and her fellow actresses applauded her for speaking out.

It takes courage to speak truth to power. Thank you @jes_chastain for speaking truth and representing the voices of millions! https://t.co/WOZUxHvhE1

— America Ferrera (@AmericaFerrera) May 30, 2017

I love @jes_chastain!! https://t.co/CioChkGhyH

— Alicia Malone (@aliciamalone) May 29, 2017

YES @jes_chastain YESSSSSS. Thank you for using you voice so powerfully and effectively. ❤️ https://t.co/jqch5aS6gV

— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) May 30, 2017

Truly badass. https://t.co/UdnRsNPYhS

— Aidy Bryant (@aidybryant) May 30, 2017