Laura Dern has issued a rallying cry to the film industry, urging Hollywood to celebrate the natural ageing process rather than hiding it, per parade.com. Speaking as the Academy Award winner approaches her 60th birthday, the Big Little Lies star challenged the industry’s obsession with youth, suggesting that Western cinema should look to European traditions for inspiration.
Honoured recently by AARP for her performance in Bradley Cooper’s latest feature, Dern reflected on the “bravery” others often attribute to her for appearing unvarnished on screen. She noted that while French and Italian cinema have long found beauty and sensuality in older performers, Hollywood often remains stuck in a cycle of erasure. Dern recalled how, as a young woman, she saw male peers find older European actresses captivating, an appreciation she rarely sees mirrored in contemporary Los Angeles.
Beyond aesthetics, the actress highlighted a significant void in modern storytelling. Despite being busier than ever with upcoming projects alongside Nicole Kidman, Dern argued that the industry frequently ignores the universal realities of growing older. She noted that while cinema is saturated with coming-of-age tales, it rarely explores the complexities of later life, including the search for community and the navigation of mortality.
By advocating for more profound roles for actors of all ages, Dern hopes to shift the cultural conversation. She insists that representing the ageing process is not just a matter of honesty, but an opportunity to tell stories with the depth and dignity that every stage of life deserves.
•Featured image: Laura Dern/Getty Images
