‘Basic Instinct Seemed Like A Scandal’: Sharon Stone Talks About How Movies About Women Have Evolved Over Time And Become More Relevant

As a lifestyle expert with a deep appreciation for the evolution of cinema and entertainment, I cannot help but be in awe of Sharon Stone’s insightful reflections on the changes within the film industry throughout her illustrious career. Having witnessed the shift from the 90s when her provocative role in “Basic Instinct” caused quite a stir, to the present day where women writers, producers, and filmmakers are driving narratives that go beyond male fantasies, I am thrilled to see the progress we have made as an industry.


Sharon Stone pondered over how different things are now compared to when she acted in “Basic Instinct” during the 90s, which was quite controversial at the time. The way movies are made today is more progressive and moving beyond the traditional male perspective or men’s fantasies about women. Stone views this shift as a positive development.

During a recent interview en route to accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award, the seasoned actress shared her opinions about modern films and streaming platforms.

Sharon Stone reflects on the changes within the film industry

Based on Stone’s account to Varity, the world has undergone significant transformations since 1992. Back then, producing the film “Basic Instinct” caused quite a stir and was seen as highly controversial.

At the Taormina Film Festival on Friday, Stone was honored with the Golden Cariddi Lifetime Achievement Award. Reflecting on the occasion, she pondered over how films exploring themes of sensuality and female stories have evolved for the better. Films such as “Love Lies Bleeding” with Kristen Stewart and “Challengers” featuring Zendaya have contributed to this positive shift in perspective.

Sharon Stone discussed the return of explicit sexual content in movies, remarking that such portrayals are a constant part of human experience, as they have long been featured on television. She added, “For me, it’s not a new concept. It’s remained on TV. Our existence here is a testament to the fact that sex and sexuality are inherent aspects of being human.”

Sharon Stone appreciates women writers and filmmakers

Today, movies aren’t just men’s fanciful dreams, but instead mirror real-life experiences, with an increasing number of women involved in their scripting, production, and direction.

In her own words, she expressed the idea that films are no longer just about men expressing their fantasies of how women should be through writing and acting, with critics then evaluating whether those portrayals meet male expectations.

Sharon Stone pointed out that the film industry used to make a variety of films with budgets up to around $60 million. However, it now focuses on producing big-budget movies costing between $100-200 million. When she started her acting career, her films were made for a maximum budget of $50-60 million.

Three decades have passed, and it no longer appears detrimental to Stone that this shift in the industry occurred. He now advocates for digital media and streaming services because they enable the creation and recognition of worthy, albeit smaller-scale, films.

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2024-07-20 15:08