AceShowbiz - Sharon Stone shared her experiences producing the 1995 film "The Quick and the Dead," directed by Sam Raimi while attending the Torino Film Festival in Italy. Despite the film showcasing her talent as a producer and providing a career boost for Raimi and several cast members, Stone revealed that she encountered significant challenges both during and after its production.

Stone was candid about the differences between working with Raimi and Martin Scorsese, the latter of whom directed her in the critically acclaimed "Casino." "In Sam Raimi's case, I really liked his films... He was very intelligent and very funny, different from Marty because he's Italian, he has loyalty, he has that family feeling," Stone explained.

In contrast, she felt a lack of loyalty from Raimi, "Sam was a kid and he doesn't have loyalty, he doesn't have family, he didn't ever talk to me again, he didn't thank me, he didn't hire me again, he didn't acknowledge the relationship."

"Marty, because I worked so hard and because I admired him so much our relationship continues to today, there is depth there," she went on.

Reflecting on her role in Raimi's career development, Stone noted, "The director Sam Raimi, who I had an opportunity to bring from 'B' movies to 'A' movies, and then he directed 'Spider-Man' and became a very big A movie director. I brought Russell Crowe from Australia. I had the opportunity to cast Leo DiCaprio and bring him into a big leading role and I really enjoyed producing."

Despite her pivotal role in shaping the film and its team, Stone's own opportunities behind the camera were limited. She recounted her frustrations with the industry's resistance to women in power, sharing a personal experience after "The Quick and the Dead."

"After I produced 'The Quick and the Dead,' I came to the studio, I asked for $14 million, I had a script, I had the music, I had everything. I pitched it everywhere. I was told it was the best pitch anyone ever heard..."

However, despite her success, she was met with significant resistance due to her gender. "The resistance to women working, to me working, was so great that I couldn't get back to direct... I feel that my intelligence was wasted trying to convince lesser intelligent studio heads to allow me to direct," she lamented.

Ultimately, Stone's experience sheds light on the broader challenges women face in Hollywood, regardless of their talent and contributions. Her story underscores the importance of addressing gender biases and providing equal opportunities for women in all roles within the film industry.