In a verbal dispute that seems to have no end, the Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu and famous actor Robert Downey Jr. exchanged views on the world of cinema, sparking a debate that caught the attention of industry and fans alike.
It all started in 2014, when Iñárritu expressed his hatred for his films SuperheroesBy direct reference Marvel Cinematic Universe, which was at the peak of popularity at the time. He called them “cultural genocide” and considered them “poison” for audiences, arguing that overexposure to plot and explosions overshadowed the human essence of the cinematic experience.
“I am not able to respond to those characters. “They’re poisoned because audiences are so overexposed to plots and explosions and shit that doesn’t mean anything about the experience of being human.” – Gonzalez Inarritu
after a year, Robert Downey Jr. Responding sarcastically during an interview with The Guardian, Iñárritu praised her ability to express herself in her second language, Spanish, and used the term “cultural genocide” as an example of her brilliance.
“For a man whose mother tongue is Spanish, to be able to put together a phrase like ‘cultural genocide’ just says how brilliant he is.” -Downey Jr
That debate resurfaced last year, when Iñárritu Criticized the word Downey Jr In an interview with IndiWire. He accused the actor of implying a derogatory attitude towards Mexicans and dismissing his views as fraudulent because of his nationality. Also, he clarified his stance on the film SuperheroesArguing that the representation of violence in these productions reflects a right-wing mentality and, philosophically, it does not share an affinity with that genre.
“It was ‘Oh, you’re from your banana country.’ If I were from Denmark or Sweden, I would be seen as a philosopher, but when you are Mexican and you say something, you are pretentious.”
“It was ‘Oh, you’re from your banana country.’ If I were from Denmark or Sweden, I would be seen as a philosopher, but when you are Mexican and you say something, you are pretentious.
– Iñárritu
This lengthy discussion between two prominent figures in the film industry sparked a heated debate about diversity of opinion in the world of cinema and the cultural impact of different genres. Although its location Iñárritu y Downey Jr Fundamentally different, their exchange highlighted the importance of artistic freedom and diversity of perspectives in filmmaking.
Through: Xataka
Editor’s note: I think Iñárritu has a point. Superhero movies can be enjoyed, but so much exposure can give people a distorted idea of what movies are. If Scorsese matches the legend, it must be for a reason.
