New Zealand female director Jane Campion apologized for the controversial comments she made about Serena and Venus Williams when receiving the Outstanding Director award at the 2022 Critics Choice Awards, according to Variety.

Palme d’Or and Oscar-winning filmmaker Jane Campion (67 years old) declared: “I made a thoughtless comment when I equated the achievements I have received in the world of cinema with all that Serena Williams and Venus Williams have achieved. It is not my intention to demean these two legendary black women who are also world-class athletes.”

Jane Campion continued: “The fact is that the Williams sisters have faced men head-on on the tennis court and in life and they have both raised their values, opening doors for women in this world. I love Serena, Venus. Their achievements are astonishing and inspiring. Serena and Venus, I apologize and welcome you completely.”

While receiving the 2022 Critics Choice Award in the Best Director category taking place on the evening of March 13 (US time), Jane Campion said she was honored to be in the same auditorium with many wonderful women, including two ensemble superstars. Venus and Serena Williams rackets. The two sisters were present at the ceremony to support King Richard – the film that helped Will Smith win the Best Actor award for his role as the father of two tennis stars, Richard Williams.

“Venus and Serena, you two are magical. However, you two are not fighting and winning against men like I am doing,” Jane Campion said at the awards ceremony. Campion’s comments created outrage on social media. Variety writer Angelique Jackson wrote: “Campion’s tone was not as light and joking as the rest of her speech. The problem is that the content of the message she gave made the audience and the two tennis stars feel disrespected. Some people note that Venus and Serena Williams can not only compete with each other, but can completely defeat men in tennis, as Jane Campion did in cinema against male directors.”

After winning a series of Best Director titles at the 2022 Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes, Directors Guild of America awards and BAFTA awards through the film The Power of The Dog, female director Jane Campion is considered one of the most talented people in the world. most likely to win the 2022 Oscar (announced on March 27).