Julia Roberts defended her new film, “After the Hunt,” at a press conference at the hot Venice Film Festival. There, the star questioned the film’s statement surrounding the #MeToo movement and cancellation culture.
In the thriller set in the world of higher education, Roberts stars as a beloved university professor who finds herself at personal and professional intersections when her mentee (Ayodebili) accuses her friend and colleague (Andrew Garfield) of crossing the line.
Roberts shook off early questions about whether “after the hunt” undermines the feminist movement. The journalist who raised the question said the film “stolen controversy” among festival attendees who felt the film “reviving old debates” about believing a woman talking about allegations of sexual assault. Roberts didn’t deal with the query directly, but the actor said he wanted the film to nurture difficult conversations.
“It’s not uncomfortable because it’s not my nature,” Roberts said with a laugh. I don’t think it just revives the argument that they are against each other or that they don’t support each other.
Roberts continued. “The best part about your question is that it came out of the theatres you guys are talking about it, and that’s how we wanted to feel.
Asked again about the topic, Roberts denied that the film was trying to blow up the controversy, lamenting that society “now has lost the art of human conversation.”
“We haven’t made a statement. We’re portraying these people at this moment,” she said. “In itself, we don’t know about the controversy, but we are challenging people to have a conversation. It’s up to you to get excited or furious about it. If you’re making this film, it’s the most exciting thing we think we can achieve.”
She then jabed, “I love asking softball questions early in the morning.”
Guadagnino says that the film is “looking at their true people. It’s not that one truth is the most important, but how we see the conflict of truth, and seeing these truth boundaries together. It’s not about creating a manifesto that will revive old-fashioned values.”
“After the Hunt” is currently competing from a competition in Venice, which is now in full swing with the recent premiere of Yorgos Lantimos and Emma Stone’s plot thriller “Bgonia,” George Sandler’s road trip dramedadramedy “Jay Kelly” and “Jay Kelly” “John Mass Machine” “Rock of Rock” and Adam Sandler’s trip slip. machine. “
Guadanino was last in Venice in “Queer,” a romantic-era drama starring Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey. Italian Oater has a long history at the festival, premiering films such as 2022’s “Bones and All,” the 2018’s “Susperia” remake, and 2015’s “Bigger Splash.” Meanwhile, Roberts, Garfield and Edebili make their debut at the Venice Film Festival with “After the Hunt,” which premieres on Friday evening.
In an unusual moment at an otherwise tense press conference, Roberts asked fellow cast members to open a can of water placed in front of them at the same time.
Garfield joked. “It was like that every day on set. When she had to be opened, everyone had to be opened. That’s the epitome of Julia Roberts.”
