Heard at the Toronto Film Festival

At the press conference for Nothing But the Truth, Rod Lurie's fictional retelling of the Judith Miller-Valerie Plame saga:

The conversation then turned to a discussion of women in film, the lack of good roles for women, and the recent comments of a studio exec who, on the heels of the Jodie Foster-starring revenge pic The Brave One tanking at the box office, said his studio would produce no more films with a woman in the lead role.

"You mean he's not going to do the Sarah Palin story?" said Alda.

"Kate and I are going to do it," said Lurie. "I'm going to write it for Kate."

The hit film The Devil Wears Prada was mentioned as proof that a smart, well-written film starring women can attract a crowd.

"Half of the best actors in the world are women," said Lurie.

"Slightly more than half," Beckinsale replied.

At least the lack of opportunities for women is being discussed. That's the first step.
Nothing But The Truth: TIFF press conference diaries (National Post)