Gender pay inequality unjustifiable: Naomie Harris

British actress Naomie Harris feels it's "ridiculous" that anyone can think it is acceptable for female stars to be paid less than male actors.

Speaking on the red carpet at the Britain premiere of her new film "Our Kind of Traitor" at the Curzon Mayfair cinema here on Thursday, Harris told bangshowbiz.com: "I think the issue is absolutely ridiculous that an actress can be paid less than an actor when they are both contributing equally to the movie, it doesn't make sense".

"I don't think it is justifiable in any shape or form. I don't think anyone can come up with an argument that makes it justifiable. Especially if both actors are coming to set every day and working the same hours. It doesn't make any sense," she added.

The 39-year-old star plays Gail Perkins in the British spy thriller and in the film her alter ego is paid more than her husband Perry Makepeace, played by Ewan McGregor, something which has a major effect on the characters' relationship.

Asked what appealed to her about the role, she said: "What drew me was the complexity of the relationships.

"I think in particular I really loved the idea that Gale is earning more than her husband and that makes Perry feel really emasculated, which is why he ends up wanting to go on this adventure to find his masculinity again," she added.

The "Spectre" actress said that it is a "modern phenomenon" that a lot of couples are grappling with and "we haven't seen that played out in a film before".

"So I would love to see that represented," she added.

--IANS

ank/nn/