Lena Dunham Says Her Girls Are Still Waiting For Parts That Honour Their Intelligence

She's spoken out about how sexism is still rife when casting in Hollywood

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by Jess Commons |
Published on

Speaking at SXSW, where she won the festival’s film prize a few years back for her debut film Tiny Furniture, Lena Dunham has said sexism still dominates Hollywood casting. ‘I think about this in relation to the cast on my show, which consists of three very talented women and also has some very talented guys. Our male lead, Adam Driver has had a bang-up year in movies which could not be more deserved because he’s a ferocious genius with an incredible work ethic, and I’ve learned so much from him. But the girls are still waiting patiently for parts that are going to honour their intelligence and their ability,’ she said on stage.

And, that wasn't all. ‘People are ready to see Adam play a million different guys in one year – from Lotharios to villains to nerds. Meanwhile, Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke and Zosia Mamet are still waiting for parts they can get interested in. Allison is relegated to All-American sweetheart. Zosia is asked to play more flighty nudniks. Even though both are capable of so much, they’re not asked to do it.’

It’s a fair enough point. Adam Driver is arguably even more of a caricature on Girls than his female counterparts, but this hasn’t seen him pigeonholed as ‘loveable weirdo’ in other roles. In Lincolnhe played an earnest soldier whereas Inside Llewyn Davis saw him turn his hand to playing a cowboy hat-wearing folk singer. He’s also rumoured to have been cast as the villain in Star Wars: Episode VII. In contrast, other than Allison Williams appearing in The Mindy Project, and Lena Dunham’s bit part in Girls producer Judd Apatow’s This Is 40, the girls have had relatively quiet years. Come on, Hollywood. PULL YOUR SOCKS UP.

Follow Jess on Twitter @jesscommons

Picture: Getty

This article originally appeared on The Debrief.

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