Back when she was just starting out, actress Elizabeth Banks's first-ever experience with a Hollywood agent was a startling reminder of just how sexist the film industry can be. When they met, he bluntly told Banks that she needed to get a boob job.
Speaking at the Women In Film Crystal + Lucy Awards on Tuesday, the Pitch Perfect 2 star and director recounted this tale to the crowd as she accepted this year's award.
"I was so grateful that I didn't have enough money at the time to follow his advice," she said. "I also did not sign with him."
In her speech, Banks made clear that there is a major lack of representation of women in film and there is a great need for strong female leads on the big screen. But she also highlighted how changing the industry can come directly from moviegoers: It can't just be women who are going to see films with "really awesome, kick-ass female leads," they need to make sure the men in their lives are buying tickets too. (After all, if tickets for these female-driven movies are selling in droves, it only encourages the studios to make more films with women in starring roles.)
Naturally, Banks uses this as a guiding principle in her own life, raising her two young sons as feminists who love seeing women dominate in both TV and film.
"I’m the mother to two boys. They’re too young to see Wonder Woman, but they’re going to love it [when they do]!" she said. "I am so proud that I get to raise my two boys to love women, and I’m so proud that I get to present an example to them of a working mom who really loves what she does."
And as a final note, Banks reiterated how much influence film can have on society and culture—and just how much power those who work in the industry have to bring about real change.
"We are in this room creating culture. We are sending messages out to the world. Those messages matter," she said. "Presenting strong, independent women who have agency in TV and film is really important not just in this room and not just in our culture, but in the global culture, and co-opting men and boys into that process is the only way that progress is going to happen."
Jessica Radloff contributed to this story.
