We spend quite a bit of time talking about how actors physically prepare for roles -- particularly in big-budget action movies. However, Chris Pratt's "What's My Snack" and other fun social media moments sometimes belie the fact that not all of losing weight for a movie is a cakewalk, or even pleasant. Gemma Arterton's experiences highlight the darker side of Hollywood's expectations regarding actresses' bodies.
The "Traumatic" Experience on Set
Gemma Arterton revealed that she was subjected to abuse by a Hollywood producer during her recent discussion with The Guilty Feminist, detailing how she was not only forced to have a personal trainer, but that they then had to film her working out for confirmation. In a candid revelation, Gemma Arterton spoke out about the process of filming a movie and confessed that people on the set reportedly pressured her not to eat, even going so far as to have her filmed while she worked out. She described the experience as "traumatic." Arterton shared a specific instance where the pressure was overt and demeaning.
Micromanaging Diet and Exercise
Going into further detail, Arterton explained, “They’d measure me and they’d call up the personal trainer at like nine at night going, ‘Is she in the gym. The actress revealed: "They'd measure me and they'd call up the personal trainer at like nine at night going: 'Is she in the gym? And if she isn't, why isn't she in the gym?'" Arterton also said that producers would measure her and comment on her food intake.
The Apricot Incident
"And there was one day when I went to get some snacks, they have like snacks on set, and I went to get some apricots, some dried apricots and the man went, this big, fat, obese producer went: 'I hope you're not going to eat that.'" Arterton's response was defiant: "I said 'Do you know what? I'm going to eat about 20, then I'm going to go home and eat all the stuff in the mini bar and then I'm going to vomit it all up.'"
Speculation About the Film
While Gemma Arterton didn’t actually name the ghastly producer responsible or the film itself, the fact that production took place in Morocco means that, in all likelihood, she is referring to Prince Of Persia: Sands Of Time, which was released in 2010 and panned by critics. Gemma Arterton did not mention this specific film by name during her appearance on The Guilty Feminist podcast, but some have already begun to theorize about the possible film in question. The former Bond girl has previously spoken out about the uncomfortable process of losing weight for her role as Tamina in 2010's Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, so that certainly seems like a viable option. Beyond that, the video game adaptation filmed in Morocco, which means that could be the production referred to in her comments. Prince of Persia star Jake Gyllenhaal notably increased his own muscle tone for the movie as well, so it would obviously prove interesting to be able to go back and see how the production monitored his diet and workout schedule at the time, too.
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Arterton's Stance on Body Image and Equality
In principle, Gemma Arterton doesn't necessarily seem to have an issue with the personal trainer or her requirement to stay in shape for the project. Movies (particularly tentpole action films) are intensive endeavors that demand performers to remain in top physical form. Her problem with this particular situation (which she eventually referred to as "traumatic") seems to lie more with the fact that she appears to view the perceived micromanagement of her diet and workout schedule as an overreach. With this mentality, we can marvel at the physiques of superhero actors like Josh Brolin or Ray Fisher all we want, but if Arterton was guilted into losing weight, that's less marvelous. Gemma Arterton’s stories have somehow made its reputation even worse.
Champion for Equal Treatment
In the years since this incident reportedly took place, Gemma Arterton has fashioned herself as a champion for the equal treatment of women in the film industry. She claims that her personal ideals have caused her to miss out on roles, but she feels it is worth it to stand for equality between actors and actresses. Arterton has become a vocal advocate for change within the industry.
Rebel Park Productions and "Leading Lady Parts"
Rebel Park Productions, a new company led by British actress Gemma Arterton, has released an eight-minute comedic short film titled “Leading Lady Parts,” in which several well-known actresses help address issues of gender inequality. Written and directed by Jessica Swale and produced by Rebel Park, which is composed of Arterton and producers Jessica Malik and Jessica Parker, “Leading Lady Parts” premiered Monday night on BBC4 in the U.K. and is now available globally on YouTube. The idea to make a creative statement arose after Arterton attended several meetings for Time’s Up earlier this year. “Leading Lady Parts” is the first in a planned series of short films that will address gender imbalance in the workplace, both within the film industry and in other various industries. Arterton calls it “Time’s Up-inspired” since it’s not directly connected to Time’s Up, although the filmmakers hope to raise awareness for the Justice and Equality Fund, which was launched by Time’s Up U.K. to combat a “culture of harassment, abuse and impunity” in the workplace.
The Film's Message
The final film features Jones, Emilia Clarke, Lena Headey, Gemma Chan, Florence Pugh, Wunmi Mosaku and Stacy Martin as themselves as they audition for a film role known as the “leading lady part.” Arterton, along with Catherine Tate and Anthony Welsh, plays a casting director who demands seemingly ridiculous things of the actresses, including for them to lose weight, take off their clothes and wear more makeup. Tate’s character asks that biracial actress Chan “be more white.” Their treatment of Mosaku, a black actress, is even worse. In the end, the female protagonist role doesn’t even go to a woman - it’s handed to Tom Hiddleston.
Drawing from Personal Experience
“I personally have heard things like ‘Could you lose a little bit of weight?’” Arterton says. “I remember once getting into an audition and the casting director saying ‘Don’t wear that jacket. You look really hench [big, muscular] in that.’ All the actors did additional EPK interviews and it’s so funny hearing their stories. Everyone talks about being told to lose weight overnight and things that are so ridiculous. But since #MeToo and Time’s Up, I think people are way more aware in casting situations of what they can and can’t say.“And it’s not just women, by the way. Men get it worse to some extent. I remember Tom saying he’s been told to just take off his shirt. It’s so ridiculous in a job interview to be told ‘Can you take your clothes off?’ That’s why it’s such a great comic subject, because it’s so ridiculous.” What I would like for it to do is inspire people to know that they can challenge things or speak up. - Gemma Arterton, actress and producer
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The Importance of Humor and Continued Conversation
But in dealing with serious topics, Arterton believes it was important to bring humor to the short. “People are more likely to tune in and listen if it’s funny,” she said. “And it’s actually quite difficult. These subject matters we want to talk about in terms of workplace inequality are really serious. So it can be hard to find the comic angle. But there are ways if you’re really thoughtful about it.”“We wanted the conversation to continue and we wanted to try and address the whole thing in a positive way,” Malik adds. “We wanted to use the skills we had to address the subjects people had been bringing up and to do so with humor and wit.”
A Soft Launch for Rebel Park Productions
“Rebel Park came together about three years ago because, at the time, we felt that there was a lack of good female-centric stories,” Arterton says. “We also want to get more women behind the camera. That’s our agenda: Do more female-centric stuff. Not strictly, but that’s [what] I’m interested in.”And she points to the behind the scenes gender dynamic as well. “‘Leading Lady Parts’ is something like 98% female crew,” she said. “We had two men on the crew and two male actors. There’s been a lot of talk about gender parity with actresses and directors and writers, but crew-wise as well it’s really important. We want to give [women] more opportunity to those male-geared jobs.”
Inspiring Change and Speaking Out
As for whether a small film like “Leading Lady Parts” can effect tangible change? Arterton says… maybe.“A film like ‘Leading Lady Parts’ might inspire the actor to speak out or to know that that [behavior] is not acceptable,” Arterton says. “For myself as a young actor, I didn’t feel comfortable or confident [enough] to be able to stand up for myself in situations where someone was telling me I needed to lose weight. What I would like for it to do is inspire people to know that they can challenge things or speak up.”“For real change to happen it has to happen within the companies that exist already,” Malik adds. “It has to happen within the studios. It has to happen within the distributors who pick up films and the choices they make … broadcasters and what they show.
Arterton's Diet and Exercise: The Broader Context
While specific details of Gemma Arterton's current diet and exercise routine are not readily available, her experiences shed light on the pressures actresses face. It's important to remember that maintaining a healthy lifestyle should be about well-being, not about conforming to unrealistic or harmful standards.
Challenging Unacceptable Behavior
“It’s easier to conform and shut up. That’s the way it’s always been with women. Easier than putting yourself out there and having an opinion, to which someone might retaliate. I’m sure there are people who don’t want to work with me because they think I’m difficult - ‘one of those feminist girls’ - but to be honest with you I don’t want to work with them.
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