Movie director slammed for ignorant comment about Venus and Serena Williams at Critics Choice Awards

Director Jane Campion has been heavily criticized online for a remark she made about Venus Williams and Serena Williams at the Critics’ Choice Awards, which has been slammed as ‘ignorant’ and an example of ‘peak white feminism’.  

During last night’s awards ceremony, Jane received three accolades for her new Western film 'The Power of the Dog'. While accepting the award for Best Director, the 67-year-old turned her attention to the Willams' sisters, who executive produced the critically-acclaimed movie 'King Richard', starring Will Smith as their father.

‘Serena and Venus, you are such marvels. However, you do not play against the guys like I have to,’ she said, in a comment that has been condemned as ‘peak white feminism’ by actor Jodie Turner-Smith.

As the camera panned to Venus, the tennis star appeared to smile awkwardly before laughing, while Serena chuckled and clapped.

While her quip about Venus and Serena prompted applause and cheering among the audience at the ceremony, it sparked huge backlash on Twitter, with people describing it as ‘weird’ and ‘messed up’.

‘Jane taking time out of her best director speech to tell two Black women that she is more oppressed than them is PEAK white feminism,’ said Anne Boleyn star Jodie, who was in attendance at the event with her husband Joshua Jackson.

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‘How terribly inappropriate and unnecessary. Why must you compare Jane Campion? And, have you ever had to contend with racism and having to work harder and smarter than everyone else because of it? No. You have not,’ one person said.

‘Sad that #janecampion had to go full Karen and undermine two women of colour who broke numerous glass ceilings to make a point about sexism in the film industry,’ someone else stated.

They continued: ‘The Williams sisters faced misogyny and racism but let’s make it all about you.’

Campion is yet to respond or make a statement after the incident.