Ayo Edebiri is making headlines for how she handled an uncomfortable interview moment while promoting her new movie, After the Hunt, at the Venice Film Festival. Fans are praising the The Bear Emmy winner for speaking up during a tricky line of questioning alongside co-stars Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield.
During a chat with ArtsLife TV, the interviewer directed a question only at Roberts and Garfield about the state of Black Lives Matter and #MeToo in Hollywood. She asked, “What to expect in Hollywood after the #MeToo movement and the Black Lives Matter are done?” Roberts looked confused and responded, “Can you repeat that? And with your sunglasses on, I can’t tell which of us you’re talking to.”
The interviewer clarified that the question was for Garfield and Roberts, asking if Hollywood had “lost something with the politically correct era.” That’s when Edebiri, visibly surprised, interjected:
“I know that that’s not for me, and I don’t know if it’s purposeful if it’s not for me… [but] I don’t think it’s done,” she said. “I don’t think it’s done at all. Hashtags might not be used as much but I do think that there’s work being done by activists, by people every day that’s beautiful, important work. That’s not finished, that’s really, really active for a reason because this world’s really charged. And that work isn’t finished at all.”
Garfield supported her point, emphasizing that both movements remain active: “Movements are still absolutely alive,” he said. Edebiri added, “Maybe there’s not mainstream coverage in the way that there might have been, daily headlines in the way that it might have been eight or so years ago, but I don’t think it means that the work is done. That’s what I would say.”
The film, directed by Luca Guadagnino, centers on a college professor (Roberts) forced to confront her past when her star student (Edebiri) accuses a university colleague (Garfield) of sexual assault. The movie’s Venice world premiere received divisive reactions for its unflinching approach to #MeToo themes.
Following the viral spread of the interview, journalist Federica Polidoro faced scrutiny for the question and issued a statement on social media:
“I have been subjected to personal insults and attacks because of a question that, for some reason, was not well received by some members of the public. I find it striking that those who unjustly accuse me of racism and consider themselves custodians of justice find acceptable violent language, personal attacks, and cyberbullying,” she wrote.
Polidoro added, “Journalism’s role is to ask questions, even on delicate topics, with respect and responsibility. I will not tolerate or accept defamatory or violent language, and I reserve the right to seek legal protection against those who, in recent days, have chosen to hide behind the digital mob to insult and attack me instead of seeking a civil and constructive discussion.”
