A friend of mine once had a theory we called the “anal sex rule,” which indicated that films featuring anal sex do not win Oscars. It seemed a very good theory and one we’ve come back to again and again (so to speak). And now, Mr. Fincher seems to agree, as he told Entertainment Weekly in a candid chat — and he’s right, you can’t win. The internet is a Greek chorus that monitors and judges ALL behavior. “They” so badly wanted to cast Fincher as the asshole last year (not warm and fuzzy enough to be an Oscar winner, I just threw up a little bit in my mouth) and with Benjamin Button as the guy who “wanted an Oscar.”
“There’s too much anal rape in this movie” to get nominated, he says, half-jokingly. “I think we’re very safe.”
Fincher says he isn’t preparing for the Oscar process, but he points out that “we didn’t gear up for it last time, either” (2010′s Social Network scored eight nominations). And he’s not opposed to campaigning, especially if it helps out his collaborators. “When it came to Benjamin Button, I wanted it for Brad [Pitt] more than Brad wanted it for himself,” he says. He also wanted to support fellow Social Network nominees like screenwriter Aaron Sorkin and star Jesse Eisenberg. “I thought that kid f—ing brought it, and I was incredibly thankful to be able to be there and record that performance. It’s an exceptionally brave and tremendous performance. When a movie is celebrated in whatever way, I think it’s bad form not to engage in some way, because people shower you with goodwill. It seems only polite to acknowledge it and be thankful for it. And then there’s 90 percent of it that is, ‘If you’re going to do this Q&A, you have to do this Q&A. if you’re going to do this, you have to do that.’”
More….
“It’s an incredible drain — a cosmic drain,” Fincher continues. “Because you have to be on your best behavior. Every little weird facial tic that you may already have is now going to come under weird scrutiny on f—ing YouTube.” As an example, he tells a story about last year’s Directors Guild of America Awards ceremony. “It’s so funny: It may have been in the middle of [King’s Speech director] Tom Hooper’s acceptance speech, somebody who shall remain nameless who was seated at the table with me got up and left. I stayed to the end and wished Tom the best, did the whole thing, got a drink, left late. Then one of these bloggers was like, ‘Fincher bolted right in the middle.’ I was like, ‘Wait a minute, I actually stayed and I got credit for bolting.’ You just can’t win.”
Last year’s debacle has faded into memory at this point — there is no arguing about which film is better — they are different movies that appeal to different people. Feeling and thinking are two very different things and most people go to the movies to be MOVED, not necessarily to think, especially tired and retired Academy members who have been there, done that. That is why I’m glad the Dragon Tattoo isn’t being considered an “awards movie” right now. The Oscar beast, I think, kills all beautiful things — but those dead things eventually sprout back up again and live better lives. We should never make the mistake of thinking that the Oscars reward the best. The best is a matter of opinion. They reward what most people can agree upon is the best, you know, like Presidents.
But last year taught me to remember that loving movies, looking forward to great works by filmmakers like Fincher, Bela Tarr, Oren Movermen, Rupert Wyatt, Lynne Ramsay, Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood, Bennett Miller, Michel Hazanivisus and yes, maybe even Steven Spielberg doesn’t mean they are any less so because they aren’t recognized by the 9,000 in the DGA or the 6,000 in the Academy. I look forward to the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo because David Fincher and co. never fail to rock my world. And for me, especially after last year, that is more than enough.
Let’s never forget that choosing great films that have lasting value, that birth whole generations of new filmmakers, are usually those that never won Oscars. The most influential directors of all time — with a few notable exceptions like Billy Wilder, John Ford, Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen and Steven Spielberg are directors who never won Oscars. Let’s also never forget that when the Academy rewards great films it makes them look better, particularly in retrospect. When films win Oscars it doesn’t necessarily make those films look better.
For David Fincher or Martin Scorsese or any other director trying to continually do different things artistically, they can’t think about appealing to large bodies of voters — to do so is make something conventional. We keep wanting to change the Academy to suit better films, and yet — it always has to be that the filmmakers have to change to suit the Academy. That’s why there were two Best Picture winners last year, to my mind. The industry’s and the critics. I’ll stubbornly hold to that notion because I realize the end goal for both was completely different. Vive la difference.
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*expected
*expected
It was expeed to be long. The Swedish version (uncut) runs three hours and even the theater version is over 2,5hrs.
It was expeed to be long. The Swedish version (uncut) runs three hours and even the theater version is over 2,5hrs.
I also hear from a reliable insider that atop of the anal rape the film’s final cut is quite long: 160+ minutes.
what to make of that? a more encompassing film than than the Swedish version?
I also hear from a reliable insider that atop of the anal rape the film’s final cut is quite long: 160+ minutes.
what to make of that? a more encompassing film than than the Swedish version?
Haha, thank God I didn’t go to see that Twilight movie the other day. Even one of the “nobody-stars” was present at the screening. Some girl who plays a werewolf. Julia? Of course, fans screamed at her, too. We are lucky that it’s not an 8-part series.
Haha, thank God I didn’t go to see that Twilight movie the other day. Even one of the “nobody-stars” was present at the screening. Some girl who plays a werewolf. Julia? Of course, fans screamed at her, too. We are lucky that it’s not an 8-part series.
Good call, mjs. Can’t believe that this was mentioned so late. Ok, we see that MANY have been nominated, but none won.
Of the ones that show at least a bit are only Pulp Fiction and Deliverance, right?
Good call, mjs. Can’t believe that this was mentioned so late. Ok, we see that MANY have been nominated, but none won.
Of the ones that show at least a bit are only Pulp Fiction and Deliverance, right?
Another one I just remembered was pulp fiction
Another one I just remembered was pulp fiction
Shawshank Redemption was nominated, but didn’t win. I suppose what distinguishes Dragon Tattoo will be the graphic depiction on screen.
Shawshank Redemption was nominated, but didn’t win. I suppose what distinguishes Dragon Tattoo will be the graphic depiction on screen.
The King’s Speech? We all know what really cured that stammer…
aha! Jeremie!
It all makes perfect sense now.
Ebert may have found another incidence:
um-hmm…
The King’s Speech? We all know what really cured that stammer…
aha! Jeremie!
It all makes perfect sense now.
Ebert may have found another incidence:
um-hmm…
Deliverance was nominated in ’72…
ooh, good call, MJS.
Deliverance was nominated in ’72…
ooh, good call, MJS.
Mara said “Fincher is always right”, I hope he’s not this time :). I think the particular statue of the film will help him in the race. This is the only picture which is dark this year.
Mara said “Fincher is always right”, I hope he’s not this time :). I think the particular statue of the film will help him in the race. This is the only picture which is dark this year.
Lawrence of Arabia had anal rape – again, off screen.
Beth, I mentioned that in a Tweet to Sasha yesterday too, .
@filmystic
@AwardsDaily @darkavm offscreen count? “The Turks, as you probably know, did it to me by force” – letter from T.E. Lawrence to E.M. Forster
10 hours ago
Lawrence of Arabia had anal rape – again, off screen.
Beth, I mentioned that in a Tweet to Sasha yesterday too, .
@filmystic
@AwardsDaily @darkavm offscreen count? “The Turks, as you probably know, did it to me by force” – letter from T.E. Lawrence to E.M. Forster
10 hours ago
And that film did not win. Did they show any raping? No, off screen.
And that film did not win. Did they show any raping? No, off screen.
On the inappropriate “anal rape and Oscars” topic, we’re forgetting one additional film: Midnight Express.
On the inappropriate “anal rape and Oscars” topic, we’re forgetting one additional film: Midnight Express.
I think you may be underestimating the Academy here. I mean, recently they’ve nominated the likes of Black Swan, District 9, Precious, and Inglourious Basterds, and while none of those specifically have anal rape in them (although there was incest rape in Precious) they certainly don’t fit within the stereotype of “safe conservative award-bait.”
What’s more this seems to forget that this material has already been embraced by the middle aged women market in book form, in fact I feel like those books are far more popular among the middlebrow audiences that mirror the academy than they were among the younger audiences that tend to champion Fincher’s other work.
BTW, it probably isn’t the Academy’s fault that they didn’t nominate Zodiac. Blame the studio that released it in March and the public which decided not to see it.
I think you may be underestimating the Academy here. I mean, recently they’ve nominated the likes of Black Swan, District 9, Precious, and Inglourious Basterds, and while none of those specifically have anal rape in them (although there was incest rape in Precious) they certainly don’t fit within the stereotype of “safe conservative award-bait.”
What’s more this seems to forget that this material has already been embraced by the middle aged women market in book form, in fact I feel like those books are far more popular among the middlebrow audiences that mirror the academy than they were among the younger audiences that tend to champion Fincher’s other work.
BTW, it probably isn’t the Academy’s fault that they didn’t nominate Zodiac. Blame the studio that released it in March and the public which decided not to see it.
I like Seven the best. Gwenyth Paltrow gets beheaded in that one, and for that, I have much love for David Fincher. <3
I like Seven the best. Gwenyth Paltrow gets beheaded in that one, and for that, I have much love for David Fincher. <3
Zodiac was his best so far, and that’s saying a lot. And yes he does care, otherwise release it in March where it will be forgotten by the following year. Everyone likes to be honored for their work and to me nominated is recognition, especially now with the 10 BP noms.
Zodiac was his best so far, and that’s saying a lot. And yes he does care, otherwise release it in March where it will be forgotten by the following year. Everyone likes to be honored for their work and to me nominated is recognition, especially now with the 10 BP noms.
Midnight Cowboy is one of the best films in history. Also, one of the bravest and best Oscar winners.
Midnight Cowboy is one of the best films in history. Also, one of the bravest and best Oscar winners.
Midnight Cowboy
Midnight Cowboy
I agree Sam. I think Zodiac is the finest film Fincher has made.
I agree Sam. I think Zodiac is the finest film Fincher has made.
David Fincher has no control over how well the Academy will respond to his films. Both The Social Network and Benjamin Button were nominated. Even though I thought TSN was a lot better than Benjamin Button, the Academy made a royal error by not nominating his more superior work, Zodiac.
David Fincher has no control over how well the Academy will respond to his films. Both The Social Network and Benjamin Button were nominated. Even though I thought TSN was a lot better than Benjamin Button, the Academy made a royal error by not nominating his more superior work, Zodiac.
Oh, I know someone who’s going to LOVE this film:
http://blog.pubquizusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/analrapist1.jpg
Oh, I know someone who’s going to LOVE this film:
http://blog.pubquizusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/analrapist1.jpg
I like anal rape.
I like anal rape.
Is Silence of the Lambs the only winner where they even talk about sodomy? Brokeback Mountain came close to winning, but they should’ve used proper lube and not spit, and it has to be between two consenting adults. Then you may win. Fincher’s film will be all dry and RAPE.
How many best picture winners have a rape scene of vaginal or of any kind? Platoon kinda had one suggested.
Is Silence of the Lambs the only winner where they even talk about sodomy? Brokeback Mountain came close to winning, but they should’ve used proper lube and not spit, and it has to be between two consenting adults. Then you may win. Fincher’s film will be all dry and RAPE.
How many best picture winners have a rape scene of vaginal or of any kind? Platoon kinda had one suggested.
Sasha I would add to your list of great movie makers David Cronenberg I just wished he was celebrated more because not only he is a incredible director, he is also a great human being!
Sasha I would add to your list of great movie makers David Cronenberg I just wished he was celebrated more because not only he is a incredible director, he is also a great human being!
The director doesn’t usually get a say when the movie is released.
Took the words right outta my mouth, Gerold!
The director doesn’t usually get a say when the movie is released.
Took the words right outta my mouth, Gerold!
The director doesn’t usually get a say when the movie is released. Thats up to the distributing company and the producers. And who hates Fincher? Just because you jhg obviously don’t like him doesn’t make a statement like “that is why people hate Fincher” true.
The director doesn’t usually get a say when the movie is released. Thats up to the distributing company and the producers. And who hates Fincher? Just because you jhg obviously don’t like him doesn’t make a statement like “that is why people hate Fincher” true.
The Swedish film turned me off, but then again the acting in that film was wooden. I don’t anticipate the same problem in Fincher’s adaptation.
The Swedish film turned me off, but then again the acting in that film was wooden. I don’t anticipate the same problem in Fincher’s adaptation.
he can deny it but his recent work are very much made and positioned to win awards. why deny it when dragon is blatantly set for december awards release. that is why people hate Fincher, he pretends he doesn’t care but he really does.
he can deny it but his recent work are very much made and positioned to win awards.
Bullshit.
jhg,
“made and positioned to win awards” — only a shallow moviegoer could think this way. What, in your mind, would constitute a movie that’s not “made and positioned” to win awards? Sloppyass movies released direct to video? Would you be happier if everyone made shitty movies and released them all in March?
he can deny it but his recent work are very much made and positioned to win awards. why deny it when dragon is blatantly set for december awards release. that is why people hate Fincher, he pretends he doesn’t care but he really does.
he can deny it but his recent work are very much made and positioned to win awards.
Bullshit.
jhg,
“made and positioned to win awards” — only a shallow moviegoer could think this way. What, in your mind, would constitute a movie that’s not “made and positioned” to win awards? Sloppyass movies released direct to video? Would you be happier if everyone made shitty movies and released them all in March?
(Rape is really more an act of violence than a purely sexual crime, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at the MPAA’s decision.) :/
(Rape is really more an act of violence than a purely sexual crime, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at the MPAA’s decision.) :/
Call me when it gets an NC-17 rating. The original European films didn’t even get hit with it.
Call me when it gets an NC-17 rating. The original European films didn’t even get hit with it.
^ Maybe because Dragon Tattoo hasn’t been released yet. Chill.
^ Maybe because Dragon Tattoo hasn’t been released yet. Chill.
And yet Shame, which depicts consensual acts, remains the most sexually controversial film of the year?
And yet Shame, which depicts consensual acts, remains the most sexually controversial film of the year?
Well how much anal rape IS in it? I was gonna take my old Ma.
Well how much anal rape IS in it? I was gonna take my old Ma.
“When films win Oscars it doesn’t necessarily make those films look better.”
In some cases, winning an Oscar makes a film or performance look worse.
“When films win Oscars it doesn’t necessarily make those films look better.”
In some cases, winning an Oscar makes a film or performance look worse.