Iris Berben on the film industry: “Unfortunately, women are still lagging behind”

With six women, more female directors than ever before are represented at the Cannes Film Festival this year. For actress Iris Berben (72) a “semi-shared” joy. “It shows that female directors are still not the norm at major festivals and in everyday life in the film industry,” said the 72-year-old on the sidelines of the film festival.

Berben has been committed to equality in the film industry for many years and also attaches great importance to the “Lights on Women Awards”. L’Oréal Paris’ initiative for aspiring women filmmakers to promote women in film was launched three years ago. “Unfortunately, women are still lagging behind when it comes to film funding and its content,” warns the actress. But Berben also lists many positive examples, including Hollywood star Reese Witherspoon (47).

With six women, there are more female directors represented in the competition than in a long time. How happy are you?

Iris Berben: Of course I’m happy about it – but it’s also annoying in a way that the fact is still supposed to awaken a feeling of elation in us. It shows that female directors are still not the norm at major festivals and in the everyday life of the film industry. So it is a great joy, but it is half shared. I see it as an incentive to continue along this path and to claim and demand what women in the industry are entitled to. Only in this way can the presence of female directors become a matter of course.

What are the biggest challenges that women still have to face in the film industry today?

Berben: The tie for actors is a big challenge. Actresses are still disadvantaged in terms of production, scripts and direction in film funding – and within the male-dominated industry there is a lack of will to change this. Yes, women successfully win prizes and are present at the festivals. Unfortunately, when it comes to film funding and its content, women are still lagging behind. They get smaller budgets and have to pedal at a different pace than their male counterparts. Half of the funding budget would have to be given to women. This topic must continue to be pushed forward together with all our strength. L’Oréal Paris’ approach to supporting female filmmakers in the context of the Lights On Women Awards and setting an example for the pursuit of gender balance in the film industry aims to do just that.

What influence do you think streaming services have on the number of female filmmakers growing?

Berben: I believe that streaming services can promote diversity by constantly expanding the range of viewer films through their offerings. They are more daring to occupy “niche programs” and offer a wide range of topics – they bring unconventional stories to the public. They offer a new way of discovery for viewers. Women’s stories with female producers, such as the film adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s book, are attracting increasing attention. Streaming services work across generations, no longer aimed at just a small audience and serving as a kind of catalyst for the courage to open up and trust more.

Which women have impressed you the most in the film industry in recent years?

Berben: I admire women who produce themselves, for women and with women. Reese Witherspoon, among others, took the initiative here and created her own production, together with a large number of strong women. So did Julia Ducournau, who won in Cannes with her film “Titane” – the win came unexpectedly. Women are often not trusted to produce. The film “Toni Erdmann” by director and screenwriter Maren Ade also shows a fighting heart and bears her very personal signature. I find it impressive how she managed to draw women along and paint her own picture in Cannes. I also followed the path of the President of the Cannes Film Festival, Iris Knoblauch, as the first woman in office, with admiration. I have hope that with her, the film festival will receive a whole new level of attention and that she will stand out as president. The future will tell – but I definitely believe her capable of it.

You have been campaigning for women in the film industry for many years. Where are you already seeing improvements?

Berben: We are on the road to progress – women are already being perceived more consciously. People dare to raise their voices, demands are made and these become part of our film policy. There is a willingness from and with men to engage in discussion, and that is good and important. Because working together and an open discourse is what brings us forward – even if it is tedious work. I love how women are networking these days and always creating new approaches to ensure courage and support. But even if some progress can already be reported here, there is still a long way to go.

The gender pay gap is still a big topic today: What measures need to be taken to ensure that women no longer lag behind when it comes to salaries?

Berben: Film funding, gender pay gap – we women shouldn’t always lag behind. A lack of childcare should not be the reason why women are leaving the industry. The film industry is so diverse and feminist, why not at this point? Acting is currently a family-unfriendly profession. Opportunities to promote women must be deliberately created here. This works through the political route, through quotas, through clear guidelines and through societal pressure that helps to create an environment in which women can carry out their jobs despite their role as family members, as mothers or wives. Just like men can do it too.

Having been in the film industry for decades, what advice do you have for aspiring actresses?

Berben: We are talking about a generation that is strong and particularly powerful. She has a good standing and articulates precise ideas about what life in the industry should be like. Of course, they also need help and support. My advice to all aspiring actresses is to network, learn from each other and encourage each other – within and between generations. It must also be kept in mind that the job has a lot to do with attitude and discipline. A lot of strength is required and not everything leads to glamorous success. It is important to sharpen your own self-confidence, to get to know your strengths and weaknesses, to work on them and to become aware: do you want to be famous or do you want to be an actress? Because they are not one and the same. And the red carpet walk is nice, but it’s also just the icing on the cake.

You are a real regular at Cannes. How is the film festival different from the many other red carpets?

Berben: The Cannes Film Festival is at the very top of the global observation scale, it is a legendary festival – a very big stage, in contrast to Berlin, for example, whose film festivals are mostly politically influenced. Cannes, on the other hand, has a lot to do with glamor and global attention. International stars, numerous sections, new and unique protagonists, all in all an unbelievable strength and radiance that should be used. It offers the opportunity to transport content and carry statements into the world. We can all use the glamor of the festival to communicate themes and anchor values.

What are you particularly looking forward to this year?

Berben: To be honest, I’m looking forward to the President of the Jury, Ruben Östlund, whose film won us the Palme d’Or and three Oscar nominations. The man is such a fighter when it comes to cinematography, and his love of film drives the actors to peak performance. It is wonderful that he holds the position of jury president. Maybe you manage to wave at each other. I was able to experience first hand how he lives and loves and fights, so I’m very excited to meet him in Cannes. I’m also looking forward to seeing and discovering more films.

Do you enjoy the big flashbulbs on the red carpet?

Berben: Combed, made up and brushed – over three hours. Of course, the desire and joy of the red carpet and the flashlight awakens. It’s an incredible feeling to share the carpet with fantastic colleagues and to show cohesion and strength. It’s always exciting, the red carpet isn’t a moment you get used to quickly. It is like a bow to the profession, with all its doers. We all present a work process that was initiated years ago and show that we enjoy our job and give the industry our fullest respect. We present a community.