Kate Winslet claims crew on Goodbye June were underpaid because she couldn’t get the budget due to being a female director as she hits out at industry sexism

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Kate Winslet says some of the crew working on her first film as a director, Goodbye June, didn’t receive full pay because the movie didn’t have a large enough budget.

Kate Winslet, the actress known for her role in Titanic, recently spoke out about the challenges women face in Hollywood. She explained that as a female director, she had to rely on personal connections to secure funding for her film, Goodbye June, because investors were hesitant to support a woman in that role.

According to Kate, some film crew members agreed to work for less than their usual weekly pay in order to be involved with the project.

Kate recently discussed the challenges of low-budget filmmaking on the Kermode & Mayo’s Take podcast. She explained that as a female director, she often relies on networking and asking for help, sometimes needing to ask crew members to work for less than their usual pay, as was the case with her film, Goodbye June.

I’m referring to the department leaders and their teams. Occasionally, people would accept a small reduction in pay just to be involved in the project and show their support, and that happened on the ‘Goodbye June’ production.

She explained that when actresses become directors, they often face skepticism and are presumed to be inexperienced. Conversely, male directors are generally assumed to be competent from the start.

Kate pointed out a common belief that men are naturally expected to be competent, a standard not typically applied to women.

That’s incorrect and unfair. It will make it more difficult for us to produce films and secure the necessary funding to do so.

She went on to say that she believes there’s a unique challenge for women, particularly actresses who become directors.

People tend to see you as self-absorbed and prefer to isolate yourself, and they question whether you’ll actually be successful.

Kate pointed out that she believes a different way of speaking is often used when talking to female directors compared to male directors.

The way we talk to actresses who transition into directing differs from how we talk to male actors who do the same.

It’s interesting how male actors are often simply given the opportunity to direct without much fuss – and it’s not a criticism at all, because there are so many talented young directors emerging right now. They’re just allowed to pursue that path.

Kate has directed a project for the first time, making her debut with a family drama on Netflix.

The film follows four siblings gathering together to support their mother as her health declines. 

Helen Mirren stars as June, with Timothy Spall playing her husband, Bernie. Their children are portrayed by Toni Collette, Andrea Riseborough, and Johnny Flynn.

Working on the project stirred up emotions for Kate, reminding her of her mother, Sally Bridges-Winslet, who passed away from ovarian cancer in 2017.

Oh my gosh, you guys, did you SEE the new movie?! It’s AMAZING, and you won’t BELIEVE this – it was written by HER son, Joe Anders! He’s only 21! I’m so proud, and it just dropped on streaming last week, so I’ve already watched it like five times!

The change was significant for Kate, pushing her beyond what she was used to, but she kept her concerns to herself, especially her tiredness, even from colleagues like Helen Mirren.

She told Grazia magazine that the most challenging aspect was putting aside her own worries so the actors wouldn’t sense them.

I had to stay positive and lead by example each day, no matter how tired or stressed I was about money.

The actress, known for her role in Titanic, also noted she was aware of the different way she was perceived as a woman working in the film industry, compared to her male colleagues.

She pointed out that when male actors become directors, it’s generally met with curiosity, but when women do, they often face skepticism and are expected to prove themselves.

Despite the pressures behind the screen, Kate said she would ‘really, really love to direct again’. 

Elsewhere Kate attended a Q&A for her movie where she revealed the advice she swears by.

‘What was your best director note for you, the actor, playing Julia?’ she was asked at one point.

The star jokingly responded, ‘Don’t mess it up,’ in a video shared by John Pascarella, which made everyone laugh. She then added with a smile, ‘That’s usually what I tell myself, too.’

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2025-12-20 14:06