Kate Winslet says the crew on her directorial debut, Goodbye June, worked for less than their usual rates.
Speaking on Kermode & Mayo’s Take podcast, the Titanic star revealed that the obstacles were tied to assumptions about women stepping behind the camera.
“There’s a different language used when talking to actresses who become directors compared to male actors who do the same,” Winslet said,
Winslet, 50, said the tight budgeting even forced her to ask for personal favours while making the holiday drama, which was written by her 21-year-old son, Joe Anders.
One of the favours included some department heads and crew members agreeing to work for less than their weekly rate to support the project.
She emphasized that while she holds no criticism toward male actors-turned-directors, they often face fewer doubts about their competence.
“There’s a societal assumption that they’ll automatically know what they’re doing,” she said, adding that women are rarely afforded the same confidence.
That disparity, she argued, makes it harder for women to secure budgets and get films made.
Winslet also recalled receiving feedback suggesting she needed “more confidence” in her choices—comments she believes would not have been directed at a male filmmaker.
She said that, despite the challenges, directing the film was important to her work supporting women in cinema.
“Even if I never do it again,” Winslet said, “I’m proud I did it, and did it at a time when the industry is struggling.”
