Julia Roberts and filmmaker Luca Guadagnino faced pointed questions about complicity and undermining the feminist movement at a news conference for After the Hunt on Friday at the Venice Film Festival.
The film, set in the world of higher education where Roberts plays a beloved philosophy professor, revolves around an accusation of misconduct. Her mentee, played by Ayo Edebiri, accuses her friend and colleague, played by Andrew Garfield, of crossing the line. Nora Garrett’s screenplay does not offer easy or simple resolutions.
One reporter asked Roberts if she thought the film undermines the feminist movement and progress of the #MeToo movement. “I don’t necessarily think it revives an old argument of women being pitted against one another,” Roberts said.
After the Hunt screened Thursday night for press and industry before its premiere Friday evening. Though reviews are embargoed until the world premiere begins, it’s already sparking debate around the festival.
For Roberts, who joked that she loved ‘the softball questions early in the morning’, the point is the conversations the film provokes. The tagline on the poster even reads ‘not everything is supposed to make you feel comfortable.’ ‘That’s how we wanted it to feel,’ Roberts said. ‘Everyone comes out with all these different feelings and emotions and points of views. And you realise what you believe in strongly and what your convictions are because we stir it all up for you. So, you’re welcome.’ Guadagnino jumped in as well, saying, ‘It’s how we see the clash of truths. It’s not about making a manifesto to revive old fashioned values.’
Roberts added that they’re not making statements with After the Hunt. Rather, she likes to think of it like a camera dropped out of the sky to capture these characters in this thorny moment where everyone seems to be lying to themselves and to others. ‘We’re kind of losing the art of conversation in humanity right now,’ Roberts said. “If making this movie does anything, getting everyone to talk to each other is the most exciting thing we could accomplish.’ (AP)
