Ethan Hawke Discusses Politics at Film Festival
At a film festival press conference for his new historical drama, ‘The Weight,’ actor Ethan Hawke confronted various political inquiries from attendees while humorously suggesting that the insights of “jet-lagged, drunk artists” shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
While addressing questions from German journalists, he reflected on artists’ roles amid the alarming rise of fascism both in Europe and America. “Okay…” he started, clearly a bit hesitant with the subject matter. “The last place you want to ask for advice at a spiritual council is a bunch of jet-lagged, drunk artists talking about their movies,” he said, drawing laughter from those present. He added, “That said, I truly love films and their profound potential to make a difference. Movies can be the dreams we have at night that help us face the day ahead. In many ways, I think the entire festival here and all of us are creating an international dream life.”
Hawke later commended the narrative of his film, emphasizing its focus on individuals with differing backgrounds uniting against “institutional greed and malice.” Ultimately, he stated, “I’m for anything that fights fascism.”
Responding to another question, he noted a recent open letter from various celebrities addressed to the festival, which advocated for the recognition of Palestinian voices in light of ongoing criticism and suppression during the Gaza conflict. “There’s really no context to that question,” Hawke mentioned, admitting he wasn’t familiar with the names of those who signed the letter.
He reflected on his past experiences with backlash when he voiced political opinions, recalling the surprising hostility he faced, with some saying, “Actors shouldn’t talk about politics.” Defending the right to express opinions, he remarked, “We’re all global citizens, and our voices matter. Everyone’s entitled to disagree.” He recognized the complexity of trying to achieve peace, noting, “Some of the world’s greatest minds have strived for it, but it feels like a tough goal for humanity.”
In closing, he acknowledged that the intent behind the audience’s question appeared to differ from his perspective, yet he maintained respect for the inquiry.
