Dame Helen Mirren blasts sexist Hollywood

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Released almost a decade after the event, The Queen gives viewers an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the interaction between HRM Elizabeth II and newly-elected Prime Minister Tony Blair following the death of Princess Diana. The two public figures struggle to reach a compromise on the right reaction to the tragedy, with the Queen preferring to treat it as a private loss for the royal family while Blair wishes to answer the public's demand for an overt display of mourning.
December 8th, 2012

Dame Helen Mirren has slammed ''misogynist and sexist'' Hollywood.

The 67-year-old actress has never been interested in starring in major blockbuster movies because of the attitudes of studio bosses, so can understand why it appears she suddenly got famous after her 2007 role in 'The Queen'.

Asked about her sudden surge in popularity, she said: ''Well, that's how it looks from the outside. My success grew slowly but constantly. I've been working every year since I started acting and I got many awards before I won the Oscar for 'The Queen'. Maybe it's because I've never been interested in big Hollywood flicks and I've only been in a few recently. I've always sensed a misogynist and sexist attitude, even in the 60's and 70's. Can I say that [1970 movie] 'Five Easy Pieces' sucks?''

The 'Hitchcock' star thinks it is important to maintain her feminist stance within her career.

She said: ''You need to be a feminist. It's about equality and rights.''

Helen - who is married to director Taylor Hackford - admitted she always expresses her plans to retire when she completes each of her films - but can't help but accept ''interesting'' parts.

She said: ''I can't say no to an interesting role. I always tell my husband, 'That's it, I quit, I've done all I wanted' and he's just like, 'Yeah, yeah. Sure.' ''