James Cameron looks back on a moment from the 2013 Golden Globes that, more than a decade later, still doesn’t sit well with him.
The Oscar-winning filmmaker publicly criticized an Amy Poehler joke made at the ceremony, calling it an “ignorant dig” that crossed the line in what was supposed to be a celebration of cinema.
Speaking in a recent interview with The New York TimesCameron responded to the joke Poehler made during her opening monologue while co-hosting the awards show with Tina Fey.
At the time, Poehler was referring to the controversy surrounding Zero Dark Thirty and his depiction of torture, joking: “When it comes to torture, I trust the lady who spent three years married to James Cameron.” »
The comment sparked an audible reaction from the audience, with cameras capturing Jessica Chastain’s shocked response.
Cameron, who was previously married to Zero Dark Thirty Director Kathryn Bigelow said the remark went too far.
“Amy Poehler’s remark was an ignorant dig, at an event that is supposed to be a celebration of cinema and filmmakers, not a roast,” he said.
While noting that he can usually take a joke, Cameron added: “I’m pretty thick-skinned and I’m happy to be the butt of a good-natured joke, but this went too far. The fact that people found it funny shows exactly what they think of me, even if they have no idea who I am or how I work.”
The filmmaker also reflected on how Hollywood structured its relationship with Bigelow during the 2009-2010 awards season, when his Avatar competed directly with his film The injury record.
Bigelow ultimately won the Academy Award for Best Director, and his film won Best Picture. Cameron stressed there was no bitterness on his part.
“I was the first one to stand up and applaud,” he said, explaining that he and Bigelow found the media narrative around them amusing at first, but ultimately frustrating.
“It started to escalate into a conversation that wasn’t about his film, and it bothered us both.”
Cameron and Bigelow were married from 1989 to 1991 and shared a close professional history, including collaborations on Breaking point And Strange days.
Cameron recently made headlines again for claiming he was denied proper credit for writing the screenplay on Breaking pointa claim to which the film’s credited screenwriter later responded by praising Cameron’s contributions.
Looking back, Cameron’s comments suggest that the Golden Globes joke wasn’t just about humor, but also about respect for the filmmakers, their work, and the moments meant to honor them.
