Olivia Wilde, a prominent figure in the film world, was at the forefront today at the Red Sea Film Festival. She took a moment to reflect on her career, sharing valuable insights into her project selection process and emphasizing the importance of avoiding the conflation of art and acceptance. Wilde also passionately advocated for increased opportunities for women behind the camera.

"Olivia Wilde's Call for Empowering Women in Film"

Acting and Directing Beginnings

Olivia Wilde initially started as an assistant casting director before making a mark in acting. She appeared in series like The O.C. and House and has been actively involved in the film industry for 20 years. Her feature directing debut came with 2019's Booksmart, followed by 2022's Don't Worry Darling. She is now attached to direct Avengelyne and Universal's Christmas comedy Naughty, both produced by Margot Robbie's LuckyChap. She will also star in Gregg Araki's thriller I Want Your Sex. This diverse range of projects showcases her versatility and determination in the field.Even after achieving significant success, Wilde still feels a sense of continuous growth. She believes that once one feels they have "made it," they might lose their edge. Instead, one should always strive for a more authentic version of the art they wish to create, allowing it to become more ambitious, which may not necessarily mean bigger but rather more courageous.

The Importance of Taking Risks

As an actress, Wilde naturally gravitates towards roles with a bit of risk. This has led to her being offered projects where she isn't afraid to push boundaries. She emphasizes that being willing to not be accepted by everyone and take on controversial projects is crucial. In her words, "I'd rather be controversial than boring. You never want to make a movie as a director that people are like, 'eh, I don't know, I felt nothing.' I'd rather people hate it than feel nothing." This mindset has allowed her to explore different aspects of her acting and directing abilities.When it comes to moving into producing and directing, Wilde realizes that acting has a unique characteristic where the more experience one gains, the less valuable they might seem. For actresses, there comes a point where they don't want their value to deplete while their wisdom and experience reach their peak. She wants to be celebrated for her experience rather than a fleeting value.

Project Selection and Avoiding Laziness

When choosing projects, Wilde selects those that are more challenging than her previous ones. She fears becoming stagnant as an artist and getting lazy. She believes that constantly pushing herself to take on new and difficult tasks keeps her creativity alive and her work fresh. This approach has led her to explore different genres and themes, expanding her artistic horizons.

Advocating for Women in Film

Wilde highlights that there is no shortage of talent among women in the film industry; the issue is the lack of opportunities. Women are just as passionate about film and have the potential to create great works. However, they often face barriers in getting their movies made. She advocates for creating a paradigm shift where women are given the chance to make their movies and have their voices heard.She also emphasizes the need to raise women's confidence and belief in themselves. Women should be encouraged to take up space and be leaders. In a production setting, as directors, they can't constantly apologize for their existence. Success should be about creating something true to oneself rather than seeking approval from others.Overall, Olivia Wilde's journey in the film industry serves as an inspiration, highlighting the importance of taking risks, avoiding complacency, and advocating for gender equality in filmmaking.