Sharon Stone attended the Taormina Film Festival on Friday to accept the Golden Cariddi Lifetime Achievement Award and shared insights on the evolution of the film industry, her health struggles, and her concerns about the political climate in the United States.
Reflecting on her 1992 film Basic Instinct, Stone commented on how dramatically the world has shifted since its release. “The world has changed dynamically since 1992. When I made Basic Instinct, it seemed like a scandal,” Stone said. “The studios have changed drastically. They’ve shifted from making a variety of films to focusing on massive $100-200 million productions. Back when I was making these beautiful films, the budgets were $50-60 million at most. Now, with the influence of streaming platforms, smaller, more relevant films are making a comeback, which I think is a positive shift.”
#1. Reflecting on Basic Instinct and the Evolution of the Film Industry
Stone also shared her thoughts on the recurring role of sex and sexuality in cinema. With recent films like Challengers and Love Lies Bleeding reintroducing intimate themes, she said, “It’s not about coming back to it—it’s always been present on TV. Sex and sexuality are natural parts of the human experience; they’re essential to our existence.”
Stone observed a shift in how women are portrayed in film, attributing this to the growing presence of women in creative roles. “Now that women are writing, producing, and directing more, films are less about men’s fantasies of how women should be portrayed and less about actors fulfilling those fantasies. Critics no longer feel obligated to assess whether female characters meet the male ideal,” she said. “The narrative has shifted from fulfilling a male fantasy to exploring authentic human experiences.”
#2. Overcoming Health Challenges and Artistic Expression
Stone’s career was profoundly impacted by a life-threatening brain bleed that lasted nine days. As part of her healing journey, she wrote her memoir, The Beauty of Living Twice, and embraced the power of daily choices to reshape her life.
Art has also been a vital outlet for Stone, helping her express herself fully. “I’ve always felt I was a 360-degree artist,” she shared. Wearing a dress by designer Antonio Marras, Stone explained her early love for art: “I’m a writer and painter. I act, and though I wish I could sing, I’m a good dancer. My Aunt Vaughn, for whom I was named, had master’s degrees in both painting and literature. So I grew up surrounded by art and literature.” Stone studied painting at university and explored various media, including sculpting, oil, watercolor, acrylics, and jewelry making. “When I went to New York, I was painting alongside modeling and trying to work as an actress,” she said. “But when acting took off, I didn’t have time for painting anymore. During COVID, though, I was painting constantly, which was wonderful. I could finally afford quality materials, and I was able to dive back into it.”
Stone’s commitment to painting has culminated in an exciting opportunity. “I’m thrilled to announce that the Municipality of Rome has invited me to host a one-woman show at the Richard Meier Museum this November. It’s the most exciting development in my life as a painter. I’m so excited I could cry, but I don’t have time to—I’m painting like crazy!”
#3. Political Concerns for the U.S.
While Stone avoided mentioning specific political figures, her worry about the current situation in the United States was evident. “Thank God I’m not a politician,” she said. “Throughout history, we’ve seen countries face periods where some individuals try to dominate the nation. Sometimes people reclaim their country peacefully; other times, through conflict. I’ve always been proud to be American, but I am deeply concerned by what’s happening now. For the first time, I’ve seen candidates running on a platform of hate and oppression. It’s a troubling moment, but we’re not the first, and we won’t be the last nation to confront such challenges.”
