Alec Baldwin Says Americans “Know Little Or Nothing About the World” at Turin Film Festival

Alec Baldwin Says Americans “Know Little Or Nothing About the World” at Turin Film Festival

As a gamer who’s spent countless hours immersed in the narratives of films and games alike, I can wholeheartedly empathize with Alec Baldwin’s sentiments about the power of storytelling to fill information gaps in our society. In an era where sensational headlines often overshadow crucial issues, it’s heartening to see artists like Baldwin using their platforms to bring attention to pressing matters such as climate change and gender equality.


At the Turin Film Festival, where he received a Lifetime Achievement Award, Alec Baldwin states that while you’re likely aware of the current events due to news reports, it’s important to understand that in America, information is primarily fueled by money and operates as a business.

The lack of understanding about major global issues like climate change and Ukraine is significant among Americans. This gap in knowledge is partially addressed by the film industry, through documentaries and fictional stories.

Baldwin, who shines in the newly debuted “Rust” and a TFF attendee, doesn’t directly reference Donald Trump, yet expresses criticism towards the state of affairs in his nation.

In response to queries from The Hollywood Reporter about his worries and aspirations following the Trump presidency, Baldwin evaded mentioning the term “Trump” directly when providing a broad response on Monday.

He remarks that there are numerous issues to tackle. Among them are environmental concerns, the issue of plastic pollution, and the challenge of thawing permafrost. It’s alarming to note that traces of plastic can be found in virtually every part of our planet. These are the pressing matters that require immediate attention.

The actor emphasizes that every structure should incorporate an alternate energy system, including hospitals, schools, airports, and government buildings, which would involve installing solar panels on rooftops. It’s crucial for states to focus on renewable energy options, even though we won’t completely phase out oil and gas. Consider the challenge of electric emergency vehicles like ambulances or fire trucks that need to recharge instead of refueling at traditional gas stations.

He avoids discussing the incident involving Rust or the unfortunate accident that took the life of the movie’s cinematographer three years ago on set. In this case, Alec Baldwin, holding a prop firearm believed to be loaded with blanks, inadvertently discharged it, resulting in the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins. The manner in which a real bullet found its way into the gun’s barrel remains an unresolved enigma.

However, Baldwin faced a trial and was found not guilty. The film made its debut at the Camerimage Film Festival in Torun, Poland, where it received a prolonged standing ovation. Yet, Baldwin chose not to attend. He had stipulated that he would only grace the festival in Turin, as their guest of honor, if the topic of the Rust shooting incident was off-limits for discussion.

On the International Day to End Violence Against Women, Baldwin, known for portraying strong male characters, is asked about the significance of women directors.

In the movies of the ’80s and ’90s, approximately 98% of directors were men, while only 2% were women. However, that’s not the case anymore, which is a positive development. While it’s true that for some action-packed films, an energetic director with a knack for dynamic camera work might be preferred, and in such cases, a male director might be more suitable. But when it comes to comedies or dramas that heavily rely on dialogue, the gender of the director doesn’t seem to make much difference. In fact, there appears to be a greater capacity for introspection in female directors.

He also suggests a movie and a book. The book is titled “Black Box” and was penned by a Japanese journalist who experienced rape, detailing her ordeal in the book, which exposes sexism within Japanese society. Subsequently, this book was adapted into a film named “Black Box Diaries“. This documentary is a must-see: it narrates the tale of a woman who has been raped and faces hostility from everyone, including other women who call her vile names like “whore”. Remarkably, she didn’t back down but continued to share her personal journey through this film using private footage.

His admired figures are the iconic actors from yesteryears, such as Humphrey Bogart, William Holden, and Paul Newman. He occasionally reaches towards the present with his praise for Robert Redford, Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson, Anthony Hopkins, and of course, Robert De Niro. They are, in his eyes, the essence of life.

In a different take, “We performed ‘The Good Shepherd.’ Bob De Niro gave me a look without uttering a word. He gave me one of his signature grimaces, mimicking Baldwin’s description, followed by another pause. Then he said, ‘Good, but try delivering your lines more slowly. Understood?’ Before departing, he walked away, leaving me with trembling hands.

On Monday evening, the movie “The Hunt for Red October,” directed by John McTiernan and featuring Tom Baldwin and Sean Connery, will be shown in Turin. This film was released in 1990.

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2024-11-25 17:25