STREISAND: WOMEN IN FILM HAVE ‘SPECIAL ROLE’

Taking a cue from troubled times, Barbra Streisand this week called on women film makers to focus their energies and talents on improving the current state of the world.

“Women film makers can play a special role in times like these, because the world is in an upheaval,” Streisand said Thursday at an event recognizing the achievements of women in the film industry. “Our technology is more advanced than our hearts,” she continued. “Violence is too prevalent in television and film, and with a President who thinks ‘Rambo’ is the height of film making, we unfortunately see real life imitating art.”

Streisand was here to accept New York Gov. Mario Cuomo’s proclamation declaring Women in Film Week on behalf of the 400-member New York branch of Women in Film. The official proclamation was presented Thursday night at the Saint, a downtown club, to Streisand by former New York Gov. Hugh Carey, in the absence of Cuomo, who was suffering from a back injury. However, after a perfunctory photo session, Streisand seemed to catch the several hundred guests by surprise when she stepped up to a microphone and began to read a statement.

“Women have a unique vision of the world,” she said. “It is our instinct to nurture, to create life, not to destroy it. We must see that vision realized. We need to believe in our own sensibilities and our own power--but we need to do more.”

Referring to the current nuclear disaster in the Soviet Union, Streisand continued: “We as women have a responsibility to put our energy and our talent into repairing the universe. As the Talmud says, to mending the broken pieces of the world.”

Streisand was asked to accept the proclamation for Women in Film--reportedly the first official salute by the state to women working within the entertainment industry--because “as an actress/producer/director who is a moving force in the movie industry, she provides a role model,” said Jaynne C. Keyes, the governor’s commissioner for film and television development.

“She’s not knocked on doors and opened them for (women), she’s blown them apart for us,” Keyes said Thursday in introducing Streisand.

Streisand first moved beyond the bounds of her superstardom as a performer into the male-dominated realm behind the camera when she produced and directed, as well as starred in, the 1983 musical film “Yentl.” She also shared the film’s screenwriting credits with Jack Rosenthal.

Later this year she is scheduled to produce and star in “Nuts,” a film to be directed by Martin Ritt for Warner Bros. The film is based on Tom Topor’s off-Broadway play about a hooker, to be played by Streisand, who is convicted of manslaughter and who undertakes the study of law to properly defend herself. And recently, Streisand acquired the film rights to “The Normal Heart,” Larry Kramer’s play about the current AIDS epidemic. She plans to produce and direct the film for her own company, Barwood Films, with the company president, Cis Corman, serving as executive producer.

Said Streisand Thursday: “I think we will always have obstacles, not only because we are women but because we are artists as well. Sometimes one feels grateful for the struggle, because it can strengthen, motivate and inspire. The enormity of making a film can be frightening, but then, taking any risk is frightening, and it’s even more frightening not to take one.”

“We’ve come a long way,” said Streisand at the conclusion of her remarks. Acknowledging the progress made by women in the industry, she added: “So this recognition is wonderful, I look forward to the day we are recognized for the quality of our film making and not just because we are women. We must make films that affirm and celebrate life, that give us hope and the promise for the future--if there is to be one.”