Sigourney Weaver Gets Emotional at Venice Film Festival: 'I Just Play Women, and Women Are Strong'

Mar. 15, 2025

Sigourney Weavergot emotional discussing her career legacy at theVenice Film Festival.The actress, 74, is receiving the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award during the opening night of the event in Venice, Italy.During apress conferenceon Wednesday, Aug. 28, the three-timeOscarnominee got emotional when a reporter thanked her for portraying strong characters, particularly as Ellen Ripley in the 1979 sci-fi classicAlien.“It’s true, I have so many women who come and thank me [for those roles],” she said, joking that she needed her “vodka” as she opened a water bottle while holding back tears.Weaver explained that she always saw her character in theAlienmovies as “an every-person part” rather than as a woman in the series.“I take my inspiration from what I see as an actual woman. We were not really getting our due, and to me women were always so capable, and we are everything. So the idea that the film world was using this much of the pie and we were like this— I feel like [Alienproducers Walter Hill and David Giler] just loved strong women and felt women were strong,” she said.Sigourney Weaver on Aug. 28, 2024.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty"And that’s the funny thing. I’m always asked why I play strong women, and I’m always like, that’s such a weird question, because I just play women. And women are strong, and women don’t give up. You know why? We can’t. We have to do it.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Sigourney Weaver: in “Avatar” (2009); “Alien” (1979); and “Ghostbusters” (1984).Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation/Kobal/Shutterstock; Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty; Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett CollectionWeaver’s first film appearance was a minor role inWoody Allen’s 1977 filmAnnie Hall, before her breakthrough performance inAlien.She went on to give memorable performances in dozens more films across multiple genres, includingGhostbusters(1984) andAvatar(2009), and counts aBAFTA Award, twoGolden Globesand aGrammy Awardamong her numerous accolades.According to the Venice Film Festival, the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement is “recognition for a star who has built bridges between the most sophisticated art-house cinema and movies that engage with the public in a frank and original way, all the while remaining true to herself.”The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!Sigourney Weaver on Aug. 28, 2024.Daniele Venturelli/WireImageIna statementahead of the festival, Weaver said, “I am truly honored to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement from La Biennale di Venezia.““To be gifted this award is a privilege I share with all the filmmakers and collaborators I have worked with throughout the years,” she added. “I proudly accept this award in celebration of all who have helped bring these films to life.”The Venice Film Festival runs from Aug. 28 to Sept. 7.

Sigourney Weavergot emotional discussing her career legacy at theVenice Film Festival.

The actress, 74, is receiving the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award during the opening night of the event in Venice, Italy.

During apress conferenceon Wednesday, Aug. 28, the three-timeOscarnominee got emotional when a reporter thanked her for portraying strong characters, particularly as Ellen Ripley in the 1979 sci-fi classicAlien.

“It’s true, I have so many women who come and thank me [for those roles],” she said, joking that she needed her “vodka” as she opened a water bottle while holding back tears.

Weaver explained that she always saw her character in theAlienmovies as “an every-person part” rather than as a woman in the series.

“I take my inspiration from what I see as an actual woman. We were not really getting our due, and to me women were always so capable, and we are everything. So the idea that the film world was using this much of the pie and we were like this— I feel like [Alienproducers Walter Hill and David Giler] just loved strong women and felt women were strong,” she said.

Sigourney Weaver on Aug. 28, 2024.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

“And that’s the funny thing. I’m always asked why I play strong women, and I’m always like, that’s such a weird question, because I just play women. And women are strong, and women don’t give up. You know why? We can’t. We have to do it.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Sigourney Weaver: in “Avatar” (2009); “Alien” (1979); and “Ghostbusters” (1984).Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation/Kobal/Shutterstock; Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty; Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation/Kobal/Shutterstock; Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty; Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Weaver’s first film appearance was a minor role inWoody Allen’s 1977 filmAnnie Hall, before her breakthrough performance inAlien.

She went on to give memorable performances in dozens more films across multiple genres, includingGhostbusters(1984) andAvatar(2009), and counts aBAFTA Award, twoGolden Globesand aGrammy Awardamong her numerous accolades.

According to the Venice Film Festival, the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement is “recognition for a star who has built bridges between the most sophisticated art-house cinema and movies that engage with the public in a frank and original way, all the while remaining true to herself.”

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Sigourney Weaver on Aug. 28, 2024.Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

Ina statementahead of the festival, Weaver said, “I am truly honored to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement from La Biennale di Venezia.”

“To be gifted this award is a privilege I share with all the filmmakers and collaborators I have worked with throughout the years,” she added. “I proudly accept this award in celebration of all who have helped bring these films to life.”

The Venice Film Festival runs from Aug. 28 to Sept. 7.

source: people.com