Milla Jovovich Finds It 'Disrespectful to Play the Damsel in Distress'

Milla Jovovich is opening up about her decision to portray strong, powerful female characters in her movies.

The 41-year-old actress discussed her roles in both The Fifth Element and the Resident Evil series during a recent interview with The New York Times.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Milla Jovovich

“We live in patriarchal society,” she stated. “We’re dealing with it so much in America. So I think it’s more important now to show women in positions of power. If audiences go to see women in action, that means they believe a woman can do that.”

“There’s always going to be some voyeuristic misogyny,” she went on, but noted that directors like her husband Paul W.S. Anderson are examples of men who believe in casting women in these roles.

“When I did The Fifth Element, I realized I was never going to be the girl in the movie that goes ‘watch out’ or ‘help me,’ she added. “I felt like, on a personal level, it felt disrespectful to play the damsel in distress.”

“It’s crazy the stories I’ve heard,” Milla shared about girls who have been inspired by her Resident Evil performance. “The power of a pop-culture image. It’s everything.”

Pictured: Milla and Paul arriving at LAX Airport from their trip to Italy on Wednesday (May 10) in Los Angeles.