Director of "Twilight," Mickriger, expresses gratitude through a delightful offering of a cupcake.
In 2008, Catherine Hardwicke, a trailblazing director, made her mark on the film industry with the release of "Twilight - Biss zum Morgengrauen," a cinematic hit starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. However, her involvement with the "Twilight" series ended after directing the first film, paving the way for other vampire genre productions to flourish.
Hardwicke's success story, however, was marred by a stark disparity in rewards compared to her male counterparts. In an interview with The Guardian, she revealed that while her film earned a staggering $402 million worldwide, she received only a modest gesture - a box containing a mini-cupcake - from Summit Entertainment, in stark contrast to stories of male directors receiving substantial bonuses, such as cars or multi-picture deals, for comparable successes.
This disparity underscores a broader issue in Hollywood, where women face pay inequalities and fewer opportunities. Hardwicke's experience serves as a poignant reminder of how quickly creative control can shift, especially when blockbuster stakes rise. She was replaced by Chris Weitz for the sequel "New Moon" after resisting an accelerated production schedule.
Statistics show that women directed only a small percentage of top films, indicating persistent gender disparities in the industry. Hardwicke's situation reflects systemic sexism and unequal treatment of women in powerful positions within the film industry.
The party held in the office of the production company after the success of the first "Twilight" film was filled with gifts and congratulations for the studio, according to Hardwicke. Yet, she did not reap the benefits that her male colleagues did. While they received cars, deals for three more films, or free passes for further projects, Hardwicke was left with a mini-cupcake.
The success of "Twilight" paved the way for numerous vampire genre productions, including the popular series "Vampire Diaries" (2009 to 2017). At 69 years old, Hardwicke continues to speak out about her experiences, hoping to bring about change in an industry that still struggles with gender inequality.
Catherine Hardwicke's accomplishments in 'movies-and-tv' entertainment, such as directing the phenomenal success 'Twilight - Biss zum Morgengrauen', were not matched by corresponding rewards. In sharp contrast to her male counterparts, she received a symbolic token - a mini-cupcake - while they garnered substantial bonuses, reflecting the systemic gender disparities and unequal treatment of women in the industry.
