Yesterday we covered the story of Adam Driver cursing out an audience member who asked him a smarmy question at a Q&A for his movie Ferrari. Some dude asked Adam to comment on the crash scenes in the movie, calling them “harsh” and “cheesy.” Adam said “F–k you, I don’t know, next question” to the gasps and startled laughter of the crowd. This happened at a film festival in Poland called EnergaCamerimage. The festival director, Marek Zydowicz, is speaking out in support of Adam. He issued a statement, which Deadline has in full. Marek says that the audience guy’s question lacked “deeper reasoning, which is against the spirit of our festival.” He also says that Adam was completely on board with the very busy schedule they’d planned for him at the festival, and that it was his idea to take questions from members of the public at this screening. He’s basically coming to Adam’s defense as a professional. But I also think he wants to make sure that other A-list stars don’t get scared away from attending his event. You can read his statement below.
Marek Zydowicz’s Statement:
As the founder and director of the EnergaCAMERIMAGE film festival, I was very honored to have Adam Driver as our guest at the festival. We prepared a very demanding festival schedule for him, one that Adam embraced with great openness and commitment. Despite the very tight program of his visit to Toruń related to his honorary Golden Frog award and promotion of the film Ferrari as part of the Main Competition at our festival, he participated in meetings and discussions about EnergaCAMERIMAGE film festival and the art of cinematography, met with the admirers of his talent as well as cinema aficionados, and asked for the conversation following the screening to be open to the public to have that direct dialogue with people who came to see the film. He also visited the museum where I prepared an exhibition of Jan Matejko’s outstanding painting entitled “Astronomer Copernicus, or Conversations with God,” presented last year at the National Gallery in London.
As is the case with any film festival featuring open conversations with invited artists, both sensible and completely trivial questions and comments. In my opinion, the question raised during the Q&A with Adam Driver belonged to the second category. It was an assessment, lacking deeper reasoning, which is against the spirit of our festival and the work we are aiming to achieve.
Having devoted the last thirty years of my life to careful analysis of film imagery, our goal is to celebrate, honor and recognize the art of moving pictures as well as the great artists and collaborators of films. We look forward to audiences seeing Michael Mann’s Ferrari, and the deeply authentic excellent work he and his filmmaking team, including Adam Driver, have accomplished.
Reading this statement makes me feel bad for Marek. I’m sure it’s frustrating to organize this big film festival and have a heckler and a movie star create a moment that’s viral for all the wrong reasons. Marek Zydowicz obviously made this event for people like him, who deeply love and respect the art of film. But there are always hecklers, no matter where you are. There are always completely inane questions at these kind of events, and sometimes they are mean-spirited. Like I said, I think Marek is trying to make sure all of this doesn’t reflect on his event. It isn’t his fault though–the audience guy was a jerk and Adam Driver responded in kind. Also, I want to acknowledge that Adam can get away with this because he is a man. If any woman celebrity did this, she’d be lambasted to hell and back. Men (especially white men) are allowed to have tempers or to be fallible, and women are almost never afforded the same freedom. And I’ll be honest: that’s probably why it amused me so much at first. It’s wish fulfillment. I would absolutely love to be able to respond that way to people who have truly stepped over a line, you know? There is a time and a place for that. But instead, I work very hard at keeping everything I say diplomatic, because if I say “f–k you” to the man at the bar who’s negging me, he might threaten me or follow me home or something. And if I were to communicate as directly as the men in my office, I’d be fired instantaneously. So instead I tiptoe. I know I am also soft on Adam because of my crush, but my analytical marketing brain knows that this is overall a bad move, not just for his public image, but also for the movie he’s promoting. I’m sure this is not how Michael Mann, Adam’s director, wanted things to go.
Photos credit: TheNews2/Cover Images, Getty Images, IMAGO/Cinzia Camela / LiveMedia / Avalon, Ottavia Da Re / Agenzia Sintesi / Avalon
Rachel Zegler gave a thoughtful reply about Disney updating its values and the loons are working over time to cancel her. I don’t have an issue with a little swearing but double standards are infuriating.
I agree, it’s infuriating. Rachel has been treated horribly for saying a Disney cartoon movie made in the 1930s (less than 20 years after women were given the right to vote) was a little problematic, but Driver can toss off an f-bomb and the wagons are circled for him.
I don’t have an issue with swearing either, just with men being allowed to be surly or dismissive where women can’t even make a valid criticism.
I’m a big fan of the Hunger Games series, and I absolutely loved the prequel book. LOVED it, so of course I’m excited about the movie. But I have to stay off any thread about the movie. I almost lost it at a dude who was like “this actress hurt the feelings of little girls who want to be traditional wives, so I’ll never see anything she’s in.” Okay, so first of all, little girls don’t get butt hurt over being told they can do anything they want, even if they want to be trad wives. You’re thinking of crotchety old men. Second, it’s a series about children sent to an arena to fight to the death, and this is what your panties are in a wad over? Pointing out that the original Disney movies don’t reflect current day values, which is more a statement of common knowledge than a personal opinion? But one thing I know better than to do is argue with randos online, so for my sanity, I’m ignoring all press about the movie.
The Daily Fail is still trying to label her as problematic for that so we can easily imagine if she had been the one to reply “f*ck you” to somebody.
I read some Reddit threads about Adam’s reactions yesterday, with likely the same commenters that lambasted Zegler.
A woman cursing an audience member would have been deemed difficult, diva-like and worthy to be fired afterwards (cancelled, basically).
To be honest, if you read around, there’s plenty of unpleasant stuff Adam Driver did but everyone bows to him anyway.
While I agree (obviously) that men get away with MUCH MUCH more than women, I would argue this is more about persona than anything else.
Adam is known for being moody, dark, a true artiste if you will 😉 – that’s the image he portrays publicly, and I personally feel that this response is completely on brand (I also think its 100% a fine response and people actually are flipping out way more than they should – how is this even a story honestly.) Imagine if someone like Paul Rudd or Steve Martin responded like this – they would be TORN APART. Because they’re supposed to always be nice and cheerful and accommodating – that’s their persona.
I’d say the same probably goes for woman – someone like Sandra Bullock or Jen Aniston would get torn apart, while someone like Aubrey Plaza or Kristen Stewart could probably get away with much less public fervour (although again, not scot free, as evidenced by everyone getting stupidly worked up by Adam doing it).
I had the same thought that there are actresses with a personality that could get away (mostly, there’s always criticism just being female) with off handed snark.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. It wasn’t a serious question, it got an unserious answer. I’m not bothered for the questioner and I think the statement by the festival director said pretty much the same thing.
Exactly. And even the way Adam SAYS it is unserious/snarky. He’s clearly just brushing the question off casually with the intention of making people laugh. Are we seriously not over the use of the f-word publicly? Like really? Who cares.
Yup, this whole thread if full of good assessments. I can imagine some of my friends responding to questions like this. I guess it’s just a particular sense of humor and manner of speaking, but in no way do I see his response as grave as it’s being made out to be.
Eh, I think there are more powerful ways to say “F you” without actually saying “F you.” I would have said something like “I am not going to dignify that question with a response, next question please.” Or maybe “I am very proud of the hard work everyone involved with the film did. I for one didn’t find these scenes harsh or cheesy. Next question please.”
Right? Plus honestly, if you watch F1, you know the crashes are quite spectacular, and can look kind of cheesy until you realise how dangerous they can be. So he could have just said that. Honestly, he does not get a pass for me from this – this is his job, he gets paid good money for this. And like the author said, if a woman answered in this way, she’d face hell. Sorry Adam, no pass from me on this one.
And that is why you aren’t Adam Driver. This notion that everyone always has to have the perfect response at every moment needs to die already. It is just grinding people down. Everyone has to walk on eggshells all the time. Meanwhile the terrible people are just being rude and awful, laughing at the people who are being polite and pretending they are behaving normally.
Nobody is AD here but if he was swearing at my face for a silly question, you can be certain I would swear back at him… loudly, so that everyone can hear it.
I’m not Adam Driver but I’m an adult who knows how to speak to other people, even if they are asking me dumbass questions
I agree. A million ways to say F you and he chose the worst one. To me it looks like the guy (Adam) lacks education and manners responding like this, because I think it was not a tough question.
Well exactly. I don’t think he was trying to make a “powerful” response. It was an offhand dismissal.
Isn’t this the part of work where he gets paid? He is promoting the movie and getting paid for the promotion. The question wasn’t even disrespectful that required swearing. The audience criticized the movie scene and called it “cheesy”. I guess, I don’t understand how this is considered “heckling”, not personal critization? As the actor, he may not the right person for the question, but he was there representing the movie and not all questions will be flattering. I think, within entertainment industry, the workplace conduct seems complicated. He wouldn’t get away with an FU to an opinion on his work in another workplace, even as a man.
Agreed–100%. Why the f-bomb? I didn’t think the question was that bad.
@sevenblue – actors get paid the first day of filming, they don’t get paid additionally after that, unless they have a contract that includes a percentage off the backend. In other words, Adam signs on to star in a film, let’s say he makes $10 million (or whatever it is he makes per film.) He receives a check for the $10 million the first day of Principal Photography (filming commences.)
Money on the backend comes after the movie is out, the more people see it, the more you make. Margot Robbie made $50 million in salary/bonuses for Barbie. Which is NOT heard of.
As for promotion, that is also included in the contract that they sign with whomever is making the film. It is a requirement normally that they don’t receive “extra” for unless it’s written up as such. There’s been a few articles on how actresses have to spend their own money to look good for promotion/festivals and it’s ridiculously expensive for up-keep. Driver, however doesn’t have that problem because he’s a guy.
By the way, I’m not an actress, just a working screenwriter.
@Marietta Jones, thanks for the info, I don’t have personal knowledge about the entertainment industry standards. I just remember Monique made some headlines when she refused to promote the work, because in her contract, there was no promotion requirement. So, when she was asked to promote, she asked for more money and when they didn’t pay her, she refused to do it. So, in my understanding, they get away with paying less if there is no promotion clause, which means you will get more money if it is added. That was my point of understanding, Adam probably got a bigger paycheck because he accepted the promotion. Please correct me if I am wrong.
@sevenblue – sorry just saw your reply… Most likely Adam is a smart guy, he’s probably making money off the backend which gives Actors more motivation to promote the film because they want to make more money! As for the promotion requirement, Monique needs a better team. In her contract, There was a promotion requirement, but she thought she had fulfilled it with only being paid the $50k. She should probably fire her Lawyer who went over the original contract. She signed up for an Oscar bait/Lee Daniels film and expected to only promote it in the U.S? Cannes isn’t a new festival. Grant it, this was 2009 (?) but still. Cannes has always been huge. I would have never signed a contract if no film festival promotion is involved with an Oscar bait film. Because at some point they probably will add it and tell you afterwards about the “clause.” Hopefully, she’s learned her lesson for the future.
I get asked stupid questions all the time at my job but it’s my job to answer the questions the best that I can since I’m getting paid and I’m an adult not a child. He comes off as a jerk. No excuses.
I’m Team Adam. Yes – we can all acknowledge his white man privilege while also acknowledging that the person who asked him that question was rude and not operating in good faith. Adam said what I would have wanted to say. People need to stop expecting celebs to deal with and accept rude behavior and start asking why folks thinks it’s okay to be rude to people just because they’re famous.
We can definitely all identify with wanting to f-bomb someone while on the clock. I’m always a little envious watching crime dramas that detectives seem to have endless job security to say whatever they want to whomever they want. I know that’s just tv, but maybe tv detective was my true calling. 😉
My reason for commenting above was only loosely related to Adam. I’m not here to call out white male privilege. I’m genuinely irritated by the comments I’ve been seeing lately about Rachel Zegler, and it was a related topic.
I’m tired of the argument that people can be surly @$$holes because they’re ARTISTES. This is just a bullsh!t excuse to justify men’s bad behavior IMO. What’s worse, he’s not finding the cure for cancer, addressing poverty, or solving the housing crisis — he’s acting in MOVIES and making millions for it. He can handle an innocuous question from the press with a little more dignity and professionalism. In very few other professional environments would someone be able to use that kind of language with impunity. It’s just gross, entitled behavior.
I think anyone is allowed to say something a-holish in response to someone saying something a-holish to them.
He’s certainly allowed to respond however he wants and I’m allowed to have my opinions on his response (as are you).
Ok. I mean, I don’t think only *artistes* are permitted by society to be dismissive of rude comments.
Not really, the audience member wasn’t paid to be there.
@AlpineWitch you need to be paid to be polite? What a bizarre take on this.
I’m tired of the idea that people think they can be a$$holes to people and they don’t deserve an a$$hole response. Regardless of the industry. You get the energy you give.
The question was stupid but it didn’t warrant an eff you, sorry.
That’s not how the world works. As a professional doing your job you cannot just act like a jerk and cuss just because someone asked a stupid question.
@Ameerah M 100%. I’m wondering if these people didn’t watch the clip or what. The guy came at him with a rude comment that wasn’t really a question, he quickly dismissed it and got a laugh from the audience. It seems like he handled it pretty well to me. This pearl clutching over the word he used is bordering on unhinged.
I think it would be difficult to ask a question with “deeper reasoning” if the material to draw from lacks “deeper reasoning”.
I think Adam Driver had an out of proportion and immature reaction to the question.
You can ask serious questions about any art, it doesn’t have to have deep meaning. There’s A LOT to talk about when it comes to action films: What other racing movies does this draw from? What excited you most about the racing sequences? How did you and the stunt team approach what you could do vs. what they’d need to do? Were there racing sequences from other films that you used as models for your work? How was the action on a film like this different from Star Wars? etc. etc.
It’s not difficult to come up with a question that isn’t rude, and if you can’t, don’t ask a question.
“Deeper reasoning”, not deep meaning.
It’s from this section of the write-up.
“Marek says that the audience guy’s question lacked “deeper reasoning, which is against the spirit of our festival.””
I guess I’m not sure then what you mean by, “the material to draw from lacks ‘deeper reasoning,'” if not that the film doesn’t have depth?
In general, this is how I understand the word “reasoning”:
“The action of thinking about something in a logical, sensible way.”
I saw the clip of the car scene on twitter and it IS harsh and cheesy. It was so bad, it looked like it was out of a video game. Maybe it wasn’t polite to ask the actor that since he had nothing to do with visual effects but I agree with their comment about the scene.
So why ask the actor?? Other than to be a jerk there is no point in asking Adam about that scene.
To paraphrase Secondo from the movie Big Night: “Sometimes [the tool] likes to be alone”.
Not a great way to behave when you’re a guest at someone’s event. There are plenty of ways to deflect a bad or even a malicious question that don’t require being a toxic jerk.
At one point AD was a struggling actor who could only have dreamed of having the success he has… Now he’s arrogant and can tell people to f*%k themselves when they engage with him about his movies… albeit critically.
It annoys me to see bc I quite like him as an actor.