“We five women were fortunate to have the choice, not just the opportunity but the choice, to play such rich, complex female characters.”

Acceptance speech as &quot;best actress&quot; at the 69th Annual Academy Awards (24 March 1997) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Phno8FKSl48, for her performance in Fargo · Full text online at the Academy Awards Acceptance Speech Database http://aaspeechesdb.oscars.org/link/069-3/ <br class="br">Context: It is impossible to maintain one&#x27;s composure in this situation. What am I doing here? — especially considering the extraordinary group of women with whom I was nominated. We five women were fortunate to have the choice, not just the opportunity but the choice, to play such rich, complex female characters. And I congratulate producers like Working Title and Polygram for allowing directors to make autonomous casting decisions based on qualifications and not just market value. And I encourage writers and directors to keep these really interesting female roles coming — and while you&#x27;re at it you can throw in a few for the men as well.