Sharon Stone’s reflections on the evolving film industry and personal resilience
Sharon Stone, a name synonymous with Hollywood glamour and talent, recently graced the Taormina Film Festival to receive the prestigious Golden Cariddi Lifetime Achievement Award. Her presence was not just a celebration of her illustrious career but also a poignant reminder of the dynamic changes in the film industry and her personal battles with health and societal issues.
The changing landscape of Hollywood
“The world has changed dynamically since 1992. When I made ‘Basic Instinct,’ it seemed like a scandal,” Stone remarked, reflecting on the seismic shifts in Hollywood. “The studios have changed dramatically. They’ve changed from making a variety of movies to making really these gigantic $100 and $200 million films. When I was making these beautiful films 30 years ago, they would be $50-60 million tops. Now streamers are taking over our business. And I don’t think that that’s a terrible thing really. We’re coming back to making smaller and more relevant films.”
Stone’s insights resonate deeply with the current state of the industry. The rise of streaming platforms has indeed democratized content creation, allowing for more diverse and intimate storytelling. Films like “Challengers” and “Love Lies Bleeding” are prime examples of this shift, bringing nuanced narratives back to the forefront.
Sex and cinema: A timeless connection
With the resurgence of films exploring themes of sexuality, one might wonder if sex is making a comeback in cinema. Stone, however, offers a different perspective. “It’s not something we’re coming back to in my mind. It’s stayed on TV. You wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t natural. None of us would be here if sex and sexuality wasn’t a natural part of our human condition,” she said.
This candid acknowledgment underscores the perennial nature of sexuality in storytelling. As society evolves, so does its portrayal in media, reflecting our ever-changing understanding of human intimacy and relationships.
The rise of women in filmmaking
Stone’s career has spanned decades, witnessing the gradual but significant rise of women in the film industry. “I just have to say now that women are writing, producing, and are more and more a part of filmmaking, and films are less about men writing about their fantasies of the way women are and actors asked to portray the male fantasy, and the critics are less asked to tell us if we fulfil the male fantasy, or not.”
This shift is monumental. It signifies a move towards more authentic and diverse representations of women on screen, driven by female creators who bring their unique perspectives to the table. The industry is slowly but surely moving away from the male gaze, embracing stories that resonate with a broader audience.
A journey of resilience and creativity
Stone’s life took a dramatic turn when she suffered a nine-day brain bleed, a harrowing experience that threatened her career and life. Part of her recovery involved writing a memoir, “The Beauty of Living Twice,” and making a daily decision to change her reality.
Art has been a cornerstone of her recovery and self-expression. “I’ve always felt that I was a 360-degree artist. I am a writer and painter. I’m an actor. I wish I could sing. I am a good dancer. I started painting when I was a child. My Aunt Vaughn, and Vaughn is my middle name, had two master’s degrees: one in painting and one in literature. And so my growing up was very full of painting; and very full of literature. And I was very, very lucky for that.”
Her passion for art has culminated in an exciting opportunity. “I’m thrilled to announce that the Municipality of Rome has offered me a one-woman show at the Richard Meier Museum, and I’ll be having that show in mid-November here in Italy. It’s the most exciting thing that has happened to me as a painter. I’m so excited I could cry but I won’t because I don’t have time to. I’m painting like a crazy person.”
Reflections on the state of the nation
Stone’s concerns extend beyond the film industry to the current political climate in the United States. “Thank God I’m not a politician,” she said. “Every country historically goes through a period where someone wants to own their country. And we’ve seen many different ways that occurs and then in many different ways that people reclaim their country, both peacefully and through the crisis of war. I have always been a very proud American and I love my country very much of course. I am deeply concerned with what’s happening in my country and this is one of the first times in my life that I’ve actually seen anyone running for an office on a platform of hate and oppression. However, we are not the first country, and we will not be the last country to confront this.”
Stone’s reflections are a sobering reminder of the challenges facing not just the United States but the world at large. Her words echo the sentiments of many who are grappling with the current state of affairs, hoping for a future where love and unity prevail over hate and division.
Sharon Stone’s journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the ever-evolving nature of the film industry. Her insights offer a deep understanding of the changes shaping Hollywood and society, leaving us with much to ponder as we navigate these transformative times.