"Through a joint effort we will make things better. We must be better. And we will.”
Jessica Chastain is looking to shake things up in 2018.
At Tuesday night's 29th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala, the Molly's Game star was presented with the Chairman’s Award by the film's director, Aaron Sorkin, and used her acceptance speech to deliver a powerful message about change.
“I want to acknowledge what a difficult year 2017 has been for all of us,” she said, calling out the need for diversity in Hollywood. “Major change is coming. Change is good. Change is needed. Through a joint effort we will make things better. We must be better -- and we will.”
Chastain went on to acknowledge those that are doing good in the industry. "We have sadly heard a lot about the bad boys of Hollywood, but I would like to send some deserved love to a few of the good guys with whom I've had the pleasure of working," she said, before naming the late Dan Ireland, with whom she worked on 2008's Jolene, as well as John Madden, Ralph Fiennes, Al Pacino, Tate Taylor, Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott, Terrence Malick and Guillermo del Toro.
"I am the actor I am because of your grace and guidance," she said in praise of these men.
The 40-year-old actress went on to gush over Sorkin, telling the audience, "He's the kind of artist that makes you aspire to be better than you are, more intelligent than you are, braver than you are."
In November, Chastain also bravely spoke to ET about harassment in Hollywood. "I want to be a part of an industry that is very inclusive," she proclaimed. "One that teaches empathy, and the only way you do that is, you learn about someone who doesn't look like you. And I think there's a generation of artists that that is their goal."
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