Kristen Stewart is thinking about relocating outside the United States, citing concerns related to President Donald Trump.
In a recent interview, she mentioned that she’s shaping her directing career around opportunities in Europe, explaining that she feels “unable to work freely” in her home country.
Her first directorial effort, The Chronology of Water, was filmed in Latvia because, as she put it, “it couldn’t have been done in America.”
Stewart expressed that Trump’s potential plan to impose tariffs on internationally made films is “horrifying” for the film industry.
“Reality is completely breaking down under the Trump administration,” she stated. “We really need to take charge and create the reality we want.”
Splitting her time between Los Angeles and New York, she acknowledged that she “probably won’t” stay in America for long.
“You can’t work for free there,” Stewart noted. “But I don’t want to give up completely. I want to make movies in Europe and shove them down the throats of the American people.”
Trump had, in September, suggested a hefty 100% tariff on movies created outside the U.S., stating on social media that foreign productions have “stolen” American film business, likening it to “stealing candy from babies.” He criticized California’s leadership and expressed a desire to solve this issue through severe tariffs.
In response, Governor Gavin Newsom’s office called the proposal “100% stupid,” emphasizing its potential to inflict serious damage to the American film sector.
So far, Trump’s tariff proposal hasn’t gained much traction.
Stewart has faced challenges with her film project since she unveiled it back at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, initially planning to film in Latvia. “It’s a nascent film culture there. I’m passionate about how films are made here, but I needed some kind of radical separation. I can’t just jump in as a director yet,” she explained, highlighting the challenges of making a student film in the U.S.
Stewart’s history with Trump goes back over a decade to when he publicly criticized her romantic life during her relationship with co-star Robert Pattinson.
He infamously tweeted at that time that Pattinson “shouldn’t take Kristen Stewart back,” asserting she would betray him again.
Trump further commented days later, advising Pattinson to end their relationship for his own good.
Most recently, Stewart has spoken out against the entertainment industry, calling it a “capitalist hellhole” that disregards women and their voices.
During a discussion with The New York Times, she remarked on the need for a complete overhaul of the system within the entertainment realm, indicating that some existing structures create significant barriers for artistic expression.
“It’s incredibly challenging to make a movie, but it doesn’t have to be this way,” she said, hinting at ideas that might be viewed as radical by some. She emphasized the need for change within the narrow environment of the industry, noting that the current system often excludes voices and makes honesty difficult.
