Michael Douglas Says U.S. Is “Flirting With Autocracy,” People Enter Politics Now “to Make Money”

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At a press event held over the weekend at the 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) in the Czech Republic, Michael Douglas voiced his concerns about the potential dangers of autocracy within the U.S., while emphasizing the merits of democracy.

A notable star made their way to a charming Czech spa town to showcase a revamped edition of Miloš Forman’s timeless film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” in which Douglas served as a producer and Jack Nicholson played the lead role. This 1975 masterpiece, which was a sweeping success at the Oscars and garnered numerous international awards, is turning 50 this year, as the festival announced. In recognition of his involvement, Douglas was bestowed with an Academy Award for best picture for this very movie.

After receiving an unexpected award statue from the festival earlier in the day, Douglas encountered the media. He praised Milos Forman’s film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” as everlasting. This prompted a journalist to bring up the movie’s theme of rebellion, leading Douglas to discuss the current political climate in the United States.

The celebrity expressed that the president’s name has been discussed quite extensively given his recent tenure, emphasizing the value of democracy, its fragility, and the constant need for its defense.

As a concerned citizen, I can’t help but express my thoughts on the current U.S. political climate. It seems to me that we’re teetering on the edge of autocracy, much like certain democracies around the globe. I fervently hope that this turbulence serves as a wake-up call for us all – a reminder of the tireless work the Czechs undertook to secure their freedom and independence. Democracy should never be taken for granted; it’s a responsibility we all share. It’s not someone else’s job to protect our democratic values; it’s ours.

As a passionate advocate, I can’t help but echo Douglas’ sentiments about the influence of money in politics. It’s disheartening to witness how politics appears to be more about profits today. Money has seeped into democracy, not just here but globally, functioning as a lucrative venture. It seems like people are getting into politics not for the love of service, but for the potential financial gains. In our cherished U.S., the idealism that once thrived is sadly fading away.

Douglas expressed, “I’m concerned, I’m on edge, and I believe it’s a task we all share – taking care of ourselves, rather than relying on others to do it for us.

On Saturday, the star was queried if he had any new projects or if he had decided to retire. “I haven’t worked since 2022 intentionally,” Douglas explained to the journalists present. “I’ve been working… for nearly 60 years, and I didn’t want to be one of those who passed away on set. So I’m quite content taking a break. I don’t plan to return. I say I’m not retired, just in case something extraordinary arises, I might go back. But otherwise, I’m more than happy to watch my wife work. Douglas is married to Catherine Zeta-Jones.

He shared that Catherine is 25 years younger than him and she’s currently quite occupied. Later on, he added that for the sake of maintaining a strong marriage, he’s content to take on the role typically reserved for wives. At some point, he mentioned a potential project he finds intriguing. “I’ve been working on an independent film idea,” Douglas stated, though he didn’t reveal further details about it.

Douglas additionally recounted anecdotes from “Cuckoo’s Nest“, including ones involving Nicholson. “Jack had no desire to attend the Oscars. He had been defeated twice before,” he stated. The film crew didn’t win in the first four potential Oscar award categories, causing the star to remark, “I told you so!” However, the Screenplay and Director Oscars were subsequently awarded, reversing their fortunes, Douglas remembered, as well as mentioning that Nicholson affectionately referred to him as “Mikey D.

Douglas mentioned that he continues to communicate with Nicholson. “He’s currently in fine shape,” he said. “He tends to be quite secluded… Everything seems to be going smoothly for him.

In a remarkable turn of events, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest etched its name in Oscar history by securing victories in all five significant categories at the Academy Awards. These included best picture (acknowledged to Douglas and Zaentz), best direction (conferred upon Forman), best performance by an actor (Jack Nicholson was recognized), best performance by an actress (Louise Fletcher won), and best adapted screenplay (Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman were honored).

In a special gala at KVIFF’s “Out of the Past” section, the newly restored version of the film by the Academy Film Archive was showcased. Accompanying the legend were Paul Zaentz, the nephew of the late Saul Zaentz who co-produced the movie, and members of Forman’s family. Paul Zaentz was also present.

In Ken Kesey’s book, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, we find ourselves immersed in the story of Randle McMurphy, a spirited gambler who frequently clashes with authority figures. His actions serve as a powerful force against the strict rules and regimen of a mental health facility.

In 1998, Douglas last graced the KVIFF event, where he and Saul Zaentz received the Crystal Globe award. Notably, Douglas is among many A-list celebrities set to appear at the 2025 edition of the Karlovy Vary festival, a perennial attraction for Hollywood’s elite.

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2025-07-05 19:26