Marisa Tomei: ‘Misogyny is an intractable part of Hollywood’
Oscar winner says women achieve power in Tinseltown only when they get behind camera, writes Hilary A White
WHAT began for Marisa Tomei in a Sundance sushi bar led her to Galway’s Town Hall Theatre last Thursday night.
The Oscar-winning US actress attended the 30th Galway Film Fleadh for the world premiere of her new film Behold My Heart, a family drama that she produced and stars in.
“I met a lovely guy at Sundance Film Festival by chance at a sushi bar,” Tomei says. “He sat down next to me and said he was looking to invest some money in a film project, which never happens, by the way. That’s the extent of my producing experience — I should quit now while I’m ahead!”
While she’d be excused a few nerves as Behold My Heart is unveiled to the world, the 53-year-old was more concerned with her first visit to Ireland.
“You know, I didn’t realise tonight was the world premiere,” she laughs. “I feel fine about it. I love the venue and it’ll be interesting to see how it plays. But I guess I’m more interested in meeting people here and seeing the countryside than worrying about this premiere at this point. I always wanted to come and the good people at the Galway Film Fleadh invited me, so I got lucky.”
Best known for her Oscarwinning turn as Mona Lisa Vito in 1992’s My Cousin Vinny, Tomei also received Oscar nominations for In The Bedroom and Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler.
With a career spanning some 35 years and 60 feature films, Tomei is energised by the changes taking place in Hollywood for female actors.
“I think people’s eyes have been opened to the misogyny that is an intractable part of the culture because it was so subtle yet so blatant that it wasn’t being addressed,” she says. “I’ve met many, people in power who are the gatekeepers of this patriarchal structure who really didn’t even realise they were doing it. Now that there’s been a groundswell to change things and the goodwill is there, the next step is seeing if people can loosen their grip on the power and elevate others to leading positions.
“My advice to actresses would be to get into producing and directing as soon as you can.
“Become a leader in your own right so that you’re someone who makes content and not just waiting around for that job.”
The 30th Galway Film Fleadh concludes today with a host of screenings, seminars and workshops.