When it comes to separating art from the artist, you might find yourself between a rock and a hard place—or perhaps between a director’s chair and a moral conundrum. Zoë Kravitz is no stranger to the fact that admiring Roman Polanski’s films is a bit controversial, to say the least.
In a recent Esquire profile, the Blink Twice writer/director tackled the elephant in the room: Can we keep loving the art that controversial figures create while still condemning their actions? Well, in Kravitz’s world, it’s all about the art, even if it means accepting that sometimes “somebody bad was involved in something good”.
Especially poignant was her defense of Roman Polanski’s work. After all, he directed cinematic treasures like Rosemary’s Baby and The Tenant, films Kravitz adores despite their creator’s not-so-favorable reputation.
Zoë Kravitz’s Take on Admiring Films Made By Controversial Figures
Ah, the age-old question: Can you truly separate the art from the artist? For many, the answer is as elusive as trying to find a needle in a haystack. But Zoë Kravitz has crystal clear answers. During her chat with Esquire, she revealed that she is a fan of Roman Polanski’s work, despite his… problematic past.
Kravitz, 35, who’s making waves with her directorial debut (Blink Twice), shed some light on her controversial tastes. When it comes to enjoying the works of Polanski—the French-Polish director, who’s got more legal woes than a courtroom drama—Kravitz is keeping it real.
She’s well aware that her appreciation for his films might not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially considering his criminal past.
“Controversial,” Kravitz acknowledged with a wink and a nod. She added:
It’s OK that somebody bad was involved in something good. What are we supposed to do, get rid of America?
Talk about a bold stance—Kravitz is serving up the idea that just because someone’s been caught in a moral pickle doesn’t mean we should toss out the artistic baby with the bathwater. And she’s got a point. What are we supposed to do—just pretend that classics like Chinatown, Rosemary’s Baby, Macbeth, The Tenant, The Ghost Writer, An Officer and a Spy, Tess, and The Pianist never existed? Not a chance!
In 1977, Polanski landed in serious trouble when he was arrested for drugging and r*ping a 13-year-old girl (via NY Times). The director, 90, has also brushed off allegations of s*xual misconduct from five other women, sticking to his story and denying the charges (see IndieWire).
Blink Twice: The Controversy Behind Zoë Kravitz’s Directorial Debut
Zoë Kravitz has taken the director’s chair with her debut film, Blink Twice. And let’s just say, she’s not exactly playing it safe with her approach. Due to its eyebrow-raising title, her debut flick has made headlines for both the right and wrong reasons.
The film initially had a provocative title, Pussy Island, which surely will make you do a double-take. In the same chat with Esquire, Kravitz described her script as an “insane fever dream,” and when asked about the title change, she quipped:
Am I upset that there is a show called ‘Dicks: The Musical’? Kind of. […] What’s interesting is that they tested the title and the people who were most offended were women.
Kravitz intended to “reclaim” the word “pussy,” turning it from a term that’s often taboo into a symbol of empowerment (via Entertainment Weekly). However, the audience’s reaction was cold to her plans. The actress acknowledged:
Interestingly enough, after researching it, women were offended by the word, and women seeing the title were saying, ‘I don’t want to see that movie,’ which is part of the reason I wanted to use the word.
It seems the road to reclaiming a term is paved with more bumps than she anticipated. She confessed:
But we’re not there yet. And I think that’s something I have the responsibility as a filmmaker to listen to. I care about people seeing the film, and I care about how it makes people feel.
The film stars Naomi Ackie, Channing Tatum, Christian Slater, Simon Rex, Adria Arjona, and Haley Joel Osment.
So, if you’re itching to see what Kravitz has cooked up in her directorial debut, mark your calendar for August 23. Blink Twice is hitting theaters, and it’s sure to be as dynamic as its journey from title to the screen!
