To be honest, no one wants to be called a “s****y peasant”. But that’s exactly how French actor Eva Green referred to crew members on the set of discarded films A patriot, according to texts read to the Supreme Court. Green, known to many as the “Bond girl” of Casino royaleis currently in the middle of a legal battle over her compensation for A patriot, a sci-fi thriller where she would play a soldier. The film was canceled in October 2019, but Green still wants her £810,000. White Lantern Movies, A patriot‘s production company, opposes the actor and has cited instances where she was “rude” to weaken her case. Not surprising, since being “rude” is an offense that is often considered much more sinful when it applies to women.
Green apologized for her language and offered her “Frenchness” as an explanation for her sharp turns of phrase. Meanwhile, her legal representative has argued that she had genuine concerns about safety and quality, and that the depiction of Green as a “diva” is unfairly used to blame her for the film’s failure. client as a diva to win headlines and damage her reputation.
Green’s use of her nationality as an excuse for her biting manner makes for an amusing news story. But there’s perhaps a broader point to note about the argument she’s making: that her perceived rudeness could undermine her appeal. Why is the idea of ”rudeness” treated so much more seriously, and with more damaging consequences, when attached to a woman than to a man?
The importance of not being “rude” is ingrained in many girls before they can form their first words. You watch your P’s and Q’s, you don’t refuse hugs, and you never challenge an adult’s sayings. Often, avoiding the label “rude” means not expressing disagreement, discomfort, or masking negative feelings to put others at ease. Boys may be taught the same thing, but gender stereotypes give them the freedom to be “boisterous” or brusque without too much fuss. And as they mature, this double standard results in the word “rude” being used as a weapon against women.
To clarify, this is not a piece advocating the right to be horrible to others. In fact, the workplace, an environment filled with imposed hierarchies and various power dynamics, is a place where “crudeness” is particularly inappropriate. Natural disagreements and bad days are normal, but aggressive behavior from a colleague should be challenged. Yet it is equally important to ensure that women no longer face harsher social consequences for the same behaviour.
Allegations that James Corden was unkind to restaurant workers may have led to a ban from New York establishment Balthazar, but they didn’t get in the way of his two Creative Arts Emmys, nor did The late late show host’s other acting and presenting appearances. In 2008, Christian Bale launched into an expletive-driven rant against a crew member on the set of Terminator rescue. Three years later, he won his first Academy Award and has since been nominated for three more. Mel Gibson continues to have a thriving career despite his years of controversy being well documented.
When men are called out for being “rude”, their careers remain intact. The same cannot be said about the gender gap. Take Katherine Heigl: Despite being popular in the mid-noughties, her star began to fade after she removed herself from Emmy consideration in 2008 and the quality of Gray’s Anatomy question storylines. The following year, she told David Letterman about the “cruel and mean” 17-hour workdays on the set of the medical drama. This, as well as her role in the 2007 comedy whipped up “a bit sexist”, contributed to Heigl being effectively blacklisted from the industry for a decade.
Katherine Heigl was effectively blacklisted from the industry for speaking out
(Getty)
In January, Sarah told Michelle Gellar The independent about how whispers about her pride in her work meant she was labeled “difficult” in the early stages of her career. “In Hollywood, and if you’re a young woman specifically and you talk about things, you’re labeled ‘difficult,'” she explained. “But now I’ll wear that with pride, if ‘difficult’ means I expect everyone to come with their 100 percent A-game.”
When “rudeness” is attached to black women, the results can be even more brutal. Racist stereotypes that portray black women and girls as “naturally aggressive” mean that traits like quietness and shyness are mistaken for rudeness – let alone when we’re trying to be assertive. After choosing not to participate in certain promotional events for the 2009 film WonderfulActor and comedian Mo’Nique claimed she was “blackballed” by the industry after director Lee Daniels told her she was “not playing the game”.
It goes without saying that when someone really makes a colleague’s experience hell, they should be reprimanded accordingly. At the same time, women should have the right to be open about their issues and opinions, without fear of retaliation if that sincerity is misinterpreted.
Whether Green’s behavior during her time with the film has an effect on the outcome of the Supreme Court decision remains to be seen, but an investigation into why rudeness can be used as a blow to female characters was long overdue. must be.