As one of the most recognized and respected actresses within the industry, the work of Natalie Portman always catches the eye of critics, whether it’s something entirely commercial like Thor: Love and Thunder – 
76% or something much deeper like May Decemberthe most recent tape of todd haynes. The interpreter appeared at Cannes 2023 to promote this film where she shares credits with Julianne Moore and took advantage of the occasion to talk about the perception of women within the medium and how in events of this caliber they are expected to have a certain behavior in front of the public.
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Natalie Portman grew up in front of the cameras and the media spotlight has been on her ever since The perfect assassin – 72% It was released a long time ago. Unfortunately, this early attention was not necessarily positive, as the actress was quickly sexualized by the public despite her young age, something she spent a lot of time struggling with. Despite this, the interpreter continued to grow as an artist and she had no problem showing what she could do with a demanding role like that of The Black Swan – 87% which ultimately gave her her first Oscar for Best Actress,
In addition to producing and even directing, Portman has also focused on various social causes, especially those related to feminism and women’s rights, ranging from their right to choose to how they should be protected on film sets. Her name was also mentioned a long time ago when the MeToo movement and Time’s Up were all over the media due to scandals in Hollywood about abuse by producers, directors and colleagues. Although now these organizations are losing popularity and momentum, the actress does not cease in her own fight and she took advantage of the premiere of her most recent film to make a veiled criticism of the organization itself in Cannes.
portman stars May December next to Julianne Moore and Charles Meltonunder the direction of todd haynesbetter known for Carol- 94%, Far from the sky – 87% and Dark Waters – 100%. The film focuses on a married couple whose harmony is endangered by the arrival of an actress (Portman) who wants to learn everything about the woman (Moore) she will play in a play. The point is that this couple is not common at all, because years ago, at the beginning of their relationship, they caused a big scandal due to the difference in age, with her being 20 years older than him, and due to the fact that they They met when the boy was only 13 years old.
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These kinds of scandalous relationships aren’t exactly unheard of, but they’re definitely less scrutinized and judged when it comes to men who are older than their young wives. The debate about being mature enough for a relationship like this is always on the table and how the perception of that continues to be very contradictory and even hypocritical, especially because of how a mature woman who is related to someone younger is analyzed and how a young man is seen dating an older woman, as if his young age was the least of it.
May December was presented with great success in Cannes and during the press conference (via Variety), Portman spoke about these types of dynamics and how they are exploited in the media, at which time she took the opportunity to mark the difference between the expectations that the festival has with women and those that it has with the men who step on its red carpet. :
[La cinta] is a study of the different roles we play in different environments. Even here, the different ways that we as women are expected to behave at this festival even compared to men… how we are supposed to look, how we are supposed to behave. The expectations are different about you all the time. It affects how you behave, whether you accept it or reject it. You are defined by the social structures about you.
May December It became one of the most anticipated films of this Cannes edition and the reception it received during its screening, as well as the first reviews it received, seem to indicate that we are facing one of the strongest titles of the season. If the proposal has a good momentum we could very well see the protagonists taking a place during the next awards season, although their chances will not be clear for a few months.
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