by Anna Coffari

The fourth conversation for Miu Miu Women's Tales focused on women's creativity behind and in front of the camera. Guest speakers for the event: the Norwegian actress and filmmaker Mona Fastvold, in Venice to present her second film, The World to Come; and the actress who took home the 2018 BAFTA for Best Actress for her role as Princess Margaret in the hit series The Crown, Vanessa Kirby, on the Lido with a doubleheader, The World to Come plus Pieces of a Woman by Kornél Mundruczò.

Among the issues they touched on, gender equality in the film industry was the most heart-felt. Mona Fastvold declared, "I don't think enough is happening; we keep talking about it, but I don't see enough changes. What I see is women colleagues bursting with talent who struggle to break into the industry. One thing that is satisfying is the support we are fortunately getting from festivals and events like the one we are taking part in today. We've got to keep the conversation going, since things are moving all too slowly so far." For her part, Vanessa Kirby pitched in with this comment: "As a performer, I feel I have to do something to change the situation. I'm no spokesperson for the whole industry, but I want to help and take some responsibility for things. There are still so many stories about women that haven't been written yet. It's our responsibility to do so."

The condition of women was also addressed when the two artists discussed the film they are at Venice for, The World to Come. Vanessa Kirby mused about the research she had done to be able to understand her character, saying, "We have a duty to talk about these women. We have to bring their voice to light. When I studied the social context of the period, I was shocked at how women were supposed to behave. They couldn't do certain things and were obliged to do others." And, in a nod to the title of the film, she went on, "We are the world to come for these women. We have the chance to choose, and we have opportunities - all things that were off limits to them."

The conversation drew to a close on a helpful note, with some tips for young women interested in getting into film: "If you are a screenwriter and you can already come up with wonderful stories," said Fastvold, "you're that much closer to making it in the industry. One way to get experience could be to make a lot of music videos." Kirby added, "You've got to get out there, wherever you can; go on loads of auditions and above all write, contact people, since finding those contacts and creating a bond is the name of the game."