Julia Roberts claps back at people criticizing #MeToo themes in recent movie

Actress Julia Roberts is weighing in on the backlash against her latest movie, as critics blast what they see as #MeToo themes.

Roberts is not one to engage in cultural or political debates, opting to do her job and let her work speak for itself. But when asked about the recent controversy surrounding her film After the Hunt, the actress explained her position.

A journalist pressed Roberts on the film that had “caused controversy” among those who believes it “revives old arguments” from the #MeToo era regarding believing women who claim sexual assault and harassment.

“Not to be disagreeable, because it’s not in my nature, but the thing you said that I love is it ‘revives old arguments.’ I don’t think it’s just reviving an argument of women being pitted against each other or not supporting each other. There are a lot of old arguments that get rejuvenated that creates conversation,” the actress responded diplomatically. “The best part of your question is that you all came out of the theater talking about it. That’s how we wanted it to feel. You realize what you believe in strongly because we stir it all up for you. So, you’re welcome.”

Roberts received another question on the topic, at which time she said she believes people are “losing the art of conversation in humanity right now.”

“We’re not making statements; we are portraying these people in this moment in time. I don’t know about controversy, per se, but we are challenging people to have conversation. To be excited or infuriated about it is up to you. If making this movie does anything, getting everybody to talk to each other is the most exciting thing that I think we could accomplish,” she explained. “I love the softball questions early in the morning.”

Director Luca Guadagnino also weighed in on the line of questioning.

“It’s how we see the clash of truths. It’s not about making a manifesto to revive old-fashioned values.”

After the Hunt is described on the Venice Film Festival‘s website as a “gripping psychological drama about a college professor who finds herself at a personal and professional crossroads when a star student makes an accusation against one of her colleagues, and a dark secret from her own past threatens to come to light.”

The film is scheduled for theatrical release in North America on October 10, and the poster even warns “not everything is supposed to make you feel comfortable” right in its tagline. It remains to be seen how the movie’s themes will play out in the United States.

Writer/Columnist

Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to BizPac Review.

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