Natalie Portman’s response to Rose McGowan calling her “deeply offensive “

Natalie Portman finally broke her silence over the criticisms about her “feminist cape” at the Oscars in a response to activist and director Rose McGowan.

McGowan called out Portman’s “fake support of other women” in a lengthy rant she posted on Facebook after the latter made rounds for her fashion choices at the recently held Academy Awards. The star wore a custom Dior cape with the names of snubbed female directors embroidered on it as a “subtle” way of recognizing them for their work.

Portman was initially applauded for the gesture but the applause grew faint after Twitter users pointed out that her production banner has never produced films directed by a woman other than herself.

In a statement published by Deadline, Portman says she does not dispute McGowan for saying “that it is inaccurate to call me “brave” for wearing a garment with women’s names on it.” She then went on to say that those who should be called brave are “the women who have been testifying against Harvey Weinstein”.

The Oscar-winner expressed her hopes “that what was intended as a simple nod to them does not distract from their great achievements,” referencing the films from Greta Gerwig, Lulu Wang, Lorene Scafaria and many more.

Portman then cited the projects where she has worked with female directors and listed their names: “Marya Cohen, Mira Nair, Rebecca Zlotowski, Anna Rose Holmer, Sofia Coppola, Shirin Neshat and myself.” This is before she pointed out the difficulties that women directors face within the industry that keeps their films from materializing.

She then concluded: “So I want to say, I have tried, and I will keep trying. While I have not yet been successful, I am hopeful that we are stepping into a new day.”