AFI Fest 2018 presented by Audi kicked off with an empowering bang on November 8 with the premiere of the much-anticipated Ruth Bader Ginsberg biopic On The Basis of Sex. The event took place at the TCL Chinese Theatre with the stars of the film in attendance including Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, Justin Theroux, Cailee Spaeny, and the film’s director Mimi Leder; who is one of many women being honored and showcased at this year’s event.
On the Basis of Sex focuses on the strong and humble beginnings of a young Ruth Bader Ginsberg as a Harvard Law Student, and follows her life and historical career over a span of 15 years. Ruth is a strong and progressive woman during a time when women were not allowed or accepted to be. The film does a fantastic job of portraying all of Ruth’s roles as a wife, a mother, and an unexpected pioneer for women’s rights, including her landmark case in the fight against sex discrimination in the 1970’s. It is a film about female ambition, and a woman who against all the odds had the power to change the world.
This year’s AFI Fest puts an even bigger emphasis on celebrating the women who “drive progress” and are changing the film industry. It is no coincidence that On the Basis of Sex was chosen to premiere at AFI’s opening night. With women’s voices finally being heard not only in Hollywood but also around the world, there is no greater film to represent this movement, and moment, than a film about one of the greatest female political icons of all.
With the 134 titles set to be screened during the AFI Fest, women directed 65 of them and 23 of them are women of color. To celebrate this victorious diversity, Audi and AFI is “lighting up the iconic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel with the faces of over 200 female filmmakers breaking statistics in the film industry” the entire length of the festival. AFI Fest takes place now through November 15, with events taking place at The Egyptian, TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX, TCL Chinese Theatres, and the Hollywood Roosevelt filled with screenings, panels, and stars showcasing and celebrating the emergence of diversity in entertainment.
By Nicole Castellanos, STYLE & SOCIETY
