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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, theBlink Twicewriter/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 likeRosemary’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. ButZoë Kravitzhas crystal clear answers. During her chat withEsquire, she revealed that she is a fan ofRoman Polanski’s work, despite his… problematic past.
“She and Doctor DisRespect will vibe together so hard”: Zoë Kravitz is on the Verge of Being Canceled for Wildly Inappropriate Jaden Smith Comment from 11 Years Ago
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 likeChinatown,Rosemary’s Baby,Macbeth, The Tenant,The Ghost Writer,An Officer and a Spy,Tess, andThe Pianistnever existed? Not a chance!
In 1977, Polanski landed in serious trouble when he was arrested for drugging and rping a 13-year-old girl (viaNY Times). The director, 90, has also brushed off allegations of sxual misconduct from five other women, sticking to his story and denying the charges (seeIndieWire).
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 (viaEntertainment 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.
“Robert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz”: Disney Reportedly Making Live Action Remake of ‘The Princess and the Frog’
So, if you’re itching to see what Kravitz has cooked up in her directorial debut, mark your calendar for August 23.Blink Twiceis hitting theaters, and it’s sure to be as dynamic as its journey from title to the screen!
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
