"The Power Of The Dog" Director Jane Campion Apologized For Her "Thoughtless" Remarks About Venus And Serena Williams
BuzzFeed
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The Power of the Dog has been cleaning up during awards season — and it looks like it could win a ton of Oscars, too.
Jane Campion's film is nominated for 12 Academy Awards this year.
At last night's Critics Choice Awards, Campion won Best Director, and the award was presented by Venus and Serena Williams — who Campion addressed, rather inappropriately, in her acceptance speech.
“Serena and Venus, you are such marvels," she said. "However, you do not play against the guys like I have to.”
Many people rightly took issue with Campion's comments — and now she's apologizing.
Amy Sussman / Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
In a statement provided to press, Campion backtracked on what she called "a thoughtless comment equating what I do in the film world with all that Serena Williams and Venus Williams have achieved."
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“I did not intend to devalue these two legendary Black women and world-class athletes," she said.
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“The fact is the Williams sisters have, actually, squared off against men on the court (and off), and they have both raised the bar and opened doors for what is possible for women in this world."
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"The last thing I would ever want to do is minimize remarkable women. I love Serena and Venus. Their accomplishments are titanic and inspiring."
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"Serena and Venus, I apologize and completely celebrate you.”
Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
We'll see if Serena and Venus have anything to say in response.
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