Jeddah: Hollywood actress Eva Longoria and Oscar-winning actress and producer Michelle Yeoh captivated the audience with their insights about the film industry at two “In Conversation” panels at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah.
With the festival set to run until Dec. 14 in Al-Balad, the conversations shed light on the significance of purpose-driven storytelling, cultural representation and breaking barriers in cinema.
Longoria, known for her role in “Desperate Housewives” and her directorial debut in “Flamin’ Hot,” shared her commitment to producing films that make a cultural impact.
Hollywood actress Eva Longoria posed before her In Conversation talk at the Red Sea International Film Festival. (Getty Images)
Speaking about her belief in using media as a force for social change, she said: “If we’re going to change the world, it’s going to be through culture. And who has the biggest impact on pop culture? Media — TV, films. If I can make things that change culture, culture changes minds and hearts.”
Longoria elaborated on her criteria for selecting projects, saying: “When I read a script, it’s clear to me very quickly if I want to direct it, do it, or be in it. It has to say something — bring a cultural or female perspective we need to see and hear.”
As a director, producer and actress, Longoria is keen to multitask. Expressing her belief in the leadership abilities of women, she said: “I like to direct, produce and act because I want to control everything. As women, we’re natural directors, decision-makers and multitaskers. It’s rewarding to do all three.”
Longoria also emphasized the importance of supporting women in the film industry, particularly women from underrepresented communities. Reflecting on her work with Latinas, she said: “When you help a woman, she helps her family. And when you improve the lives of families, you improve the lives of nations.”
Her advice to the next generation in the film industry focused on perseverance and the importance of experience. “If you don’t have the body of work, you can’t get the job. And you can’t get the job because you don’t have the body of work. You learn by doing. You volunteer your talents to anyone who will take you.”
Meanwhile, Yeoh, celebrated for her roles in “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” for which she won the Best Actress Oscar in 2023, spoke about her involvement in action films.
She shared her experience with martial arts choreography, describing the art of movement in action sequences. “Action is like dance. Everything’s choreographed, but the projection of power and timing are different. It’s a blend of grace, speed and impact,” she said.
Yeoh’s experience in the industry has been one of defying expectations, particularly in action cinema. Reflecting on her groundbreaking role in 2000’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” she praised director Ang Lee for revolutionizing martial arts films.
“Ang Lee is a poet. He introduced martial arts cinema to the world in a way that made audiences feel like they were running on rooftops with us.”
Her determination to challenge Hollywood’s limited portrayal of Asian women was a defining aspect of her career. She shared the impact of saying no to stereotypical roles. “At that time, roles for Asian women were so stereotyped. I waited for two years because I refused to step backwards. Saying no is powerful.”
As a champion of cultural representation, Yeoh discussed the evolving landscape of cinema, stressing the importance of creating opportunities for diverse storytellers. “It’s crucial to create equal opportunities for storytellers to tell their stories in their own way. That’s how the industry evolves.”
For Yeoh, the journey is more about authenticity. “Tell your stories. Don’t cut corners. Believe in what you do because if you don’t believe in that, you’ve lost the battle already.”
Her experience as both an actress and producer has shown her the importance of both personal growth and collective representation. “Cinema is one of the best ways to learn about the world ... bring the world to you,” Yeoh said.
Both Longoria and Yeoh emphasize the importance of representation in the film industry. Longoria advocates for breaking barriers by focusing on women’s roles and encouraging diversity behind the scenes. She is committed to creating spaces where women and people of color can thrive in the industry.
“It’s much harder for women and people of color to break through,” she said. “Not because of intentional exclusion but because people hire who they know and who has the experience. That’s why building pipelines is so critical.”
Yeoh echoes these sentiments, stressing the significance of diverse voices in filmmaking.
“We are beginning to see changes,” she said. “We are beginning to welcome more diversity. We are beginning to see more women, especially, behind the cameras and other jobs, just instead of being an actress.”
This year’s roster of speakers at the festival includes the Academy Award-winning actor Brendan Fraser, renowned director and producer Michael Mann, Academy Award-nominated actor Jeremy Renner, acclaimed director Spike Lee, actress and director Olivia Wilde, Tony and Grammy Award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo, as well as more Bollywood legends alongside Middle Eastern icons.
