It’s no secret that Hollywood has, and continues to be, a difficult and sometimes dangerous place for women. An industry notoriously engineered by men, films with female leads, directors, writers or producers are painfully thin on the ground.

But slowly and surely things are beginning to change, as more people speak out about the great work being done by women in front of and behind the camera.

Most recently, esteemed actor Anne Hathaway has commented on her experience filming her newest film, Ocean’s 8, in which she stars alongside an all-star female cast including Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett and Mindy Kaling.

Hathaway explained how “incredible” it was to act with not just a few women as usual, but a whole cast of them, and noted that the benefit of having so many women on set was that it created a “safe” environment.

People reports that while speaking at a press conference for the film in New York, Hathaway praised her co-stars, saying: “I’ve been really lucky, I’ve been able to work with a lot of great women but there’s usually just one or two of us.”

She continued to elaborate on why working with other females actors is such a great thing for her career, particularly because of the collaborative nature of the cast: “The idea that we could all bring all of the experiences we’ve ever had and bring it into this shared pool — and all then collectively become better because we’re all just together.

“One of the first things I remember was feeling safe and feeling like I was with people that I was so proud to be amongst — while having the best time of my life, just learning, and enjoying the view. It was incredible,” she added.

Hathaway and her co-stars will play a team of con artists who are rumoured to be pulling of a heist at the Met Gala. But even though Hathaway didn’t brush over that the film revolves around a high profile robbery, her co-star Sandra Bullock was also keen to convey the message of friendship that’s at the film’s heart. 

“To an eight-year-old girl maybe we’re not saying go have a life a crime, but to go do what you want and there’s space for you,” she said. 

“There’s space for you to go do it with your friends, there’s room for all of you. I think that films that have an ‘everybody in’ mentality and message for people who have historically been excluded is a good message for people.”

Bullock agreed: “Also just women taking care of each other. Women being good to each other. Women stepping back and letting the more gifted step forward in the heist and recognizing talent and saying go out and shine, I got your back.”

Before adding: “I think to me the most important thing was to show I didn’t care about the heist as much as I cared about how they treated each other and how they lifted each other up.”

Ocean’s 8 will be in cinemas on the 22 June and we can’t wait to see this female-focused masterpiece for ourselves. 

Images: Getty