American filmmaker Christine Vachon, known for producing movies like "Carol" and "Still Alice", says actresses are brave when it comes to picking strong roles and they jump into something interesting whenever they get a chance.
Vachon said though there is a dearth of good roles for actresses in Hollywood, they are always up for making the most of the opportunities that come their way.
"I think female actors in Hollywood don't get as many opportunities. When we have a movie with a really good role for a woman, I know we will have no trouble casting it.
"I know Julianne (Moore), Cate (Blanchett), Kate Winslet, Amy Adams, all those actresses of certain age, when they see something that strong they jump on it.
"Men can be a little bit picky and choosy because there's a lot of stuff for them. But women, most of the time, are ready to take on," Vachon told PTI.
She said to improve women's representation in films, audience's encouragement is the most vital thing.
"Someone asked me how can I help in terms of women's representations in f ilms, I thought its simple - go to movies. Put down your money when there is a movie about women. Pay to see it and stop pirating."
Vachon has produced several acclaimed independent films, including Academy Award winner "Boys Don't Cry", "Far From Heaven" and "One Hour Photo" among others.
She believes another reason that there aren't many movies with substantial women parts is that nowadays better roles for females are written on television than in films.
"What is happening in America is that a lot of female- driven stories are going to the small screen and there is a real crisis around 'Oscars so white, so male, so straight.' Where is the diversity?
"Today the audience doesn't want something unauthentic. On one hand they are saying they're hungry for something besides the tentpole movies. But they are not always exercising that by going to the theatres."
Talking about the 2014 indie drama "Still Alice", which won Moore an Oscar for her performance of a linguistics professor diagnosed with familial Alzheimer's disease, she said the film was a gamble for the team as it had a female protagonist.
"When we made 'Still Alice' the crazy thing about that movie was the gamble. It was, this movie will only be successful if Julianne Moore gives the performance of her life and wins an Oscar. That was the gamble. Looking back, it sounds ridiculous. We were like, 'Oh yeah that's going to happen' and it did!".
Vachon was one of jury members in the 'International Competition' section at the 18th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star, which concluded last night.
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