Sharon Stone (The Flight Attendant, Casino) went to the Red Sea Film Fest in Saudi Arabia for the Premiere of the opening night film, What’s Love Got To Do With It, despite concerns for her safety. The Hollywood Reporter reports that the Basic Instinct star spoke her mind at the festival, which is only celebrating its second year. “Women are not here just to serve men. Men are also here to serve women. And if we are not serving equally, then we are disrespecting our maker.”
Saudi Arabia has been criticized for its human rights violations, but Stone and many other big names came to the festival anyway. Stone pointed out that she has always defied popular opinions to do what she believes is right, “I’m an envelope breaker,” which is why she decided to come to Saudi Arabia.
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Stone spoke about how her career, which took off after her first hit, Basic Instinct, has afforded her many opportunities. Stone talked about her experience as a child who grew up in rural Pennsylvania and could never have imagined going to Saudi Arabia. As she spoke, she became teary-eyed and emotional.
Stone has a long history of advocating for her personal beliefs. She worked with AmFAR, an AIDS research and advocacy organization before it was socially acceptable to talk about AIDS out in the open. Her speech was met with heavy applause from the audience.
Related Link: What’s Love Got To Do With It: Plot, Cast, Release Date, and Everything Else We Know
Second Year of Red Sea Fest Opens with a Star-Studded Lineup
Red Sea Film Festival
The Red Sea Film Fest in Jeddah, which Stone attended, is celebrating its second year. Many industry big names showed up for the festival’s opening night festivities. The attendees included Guy Ritchie (Snatch, Sherlock Holmes), Priyanka Chopra (The Hero: Love Story of a Spy), Andy Garcia (The Expendables 4, Oceans Eleven), Michelle Rodriguez (Avatar, Fast & Furious franchise), and Gaspar Noé (Vortex). Oliver Stone will lead the festival’s competition as head of the jury.
The opening night film was the new multicultural romantic comedy, What’s Love Got to Do With It, starring Lily James (Baby Driver, Pam & Tommy) and Shazad Latif (Star Trek: Discovery). The film was scripted by Jemima Khan, who was also in attendance. Bruno Mars performed at the opening night party following the screening. The Red Sea Film Fest runs now through December 10th.
