Denzel Washington sparks debate over awkward viral interview with white film critic

Film fans were divided on social media over a recent Denzel Washington in which the two-time Oscar winner said he was unfamiliar with the work of late director Stanley Kubrick.

Washington, who celebrates his 70th birthday on December 28, sits down with Collider correspondent Steve Weintraub in November to promote his latest film, Gladiator II.

When asked what his favorite Kubrick film was, Washington said he was “not a real film buff” around the time Kubrick was releasing signature films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968, and 1971’s A Clockwork Orange.

“I’m not a movie buff — no, I’m not a big movie fan — I was on the streets when he was making movies,” Washington said. “I’d be the one outside wanting to rob you if you came out of a Kubrick movie, okay?

‘So I wasn’t a real film fan. I didn’t start acting until I was 20 years old and I didn’t really go into movies until I was 20, 22, 23.”

Washington then clarified his statement by saying that “as a teenager [he] went to films like 1971’s Shaft and 1972’s SuperFly, which were respectively directed by the late father and son Gordon Parks and Gordon Roger Parks Jr., who were among the most prominent black filmmakers of the 1970s.

The interview with Washington – who won the Oscars for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Glory in 1990, and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Training Day in 2002 – sparked controversy among some cinema enthusiasts online.

Some people felt that Weintraub – who wore a shirt with Kubrick’s image on it – was being pretentious in assuming that Washington shared the cultural experience regarding cinema.

‘I’M SO GLAD DENZEL DID THIS!’ said one social media user. “He’s definitely a film buff, but what he was really saying was why this man thought he could ask someone like Denzel, who supports black films, to talk about a white director instead of a black one.

‘White film critics are insufferable this way. The arrogance of doing press for a movie and wearing another filmmaker’s shirt… to question the actors about that person’s filmography as if they were on a game show… they position everything from their white skin, and in this case, white male perspective.”

The user noted that Weintraub made the mistake of thinking that “everyone” should agree with him when it comes to Kubrick’s place in cinema, “including the most famous black actor who has appeared in more films by black directors than by white ones .’

Another user agreed that Washington was too experienced to fall for Kubrick’s leading question.

“They should have known better than to try with Denzel, he never tolerates any bullshit,” the user said.

One social media user suggested that Washington “probably doesn’t like any Kubrick film he’s seen, but there’s no polite way to say that.”

Collider correspondent Steve Weintraub started the conversation with Washington by asking him what his favorite Kubrick film was

Some people felt that Weintraub – who wore a shirt with Kubrick’s image on it – was being pretentious in assuming that Washington shared the cultural experience regarding cinema.

One user summarized Washington’s response with a popular gif of him slamming the door on a man, taken from his 2014 Broadway performance in A Raisin in the Sun by the late Lorraine Hansberry, a prominent black playwright.

Some users felt that it was Washington who came out of the interview appearing pretentious in his response.

“I’m incredibly disappointed in that response…why does he seem so pretentious now,” one user said.

Another referenced a prominent 1980s Kubrick film The Shining, writing, “So he’s never seen The Shining in the last forty years? lol.’

One user summarized Washington’s response with a popular gif of him slamming the door on a man, taken from his 2014 Broadway performance in A Raisin in the Sun by the late Lorraine Hansberry, a prominent black playwright

Some users felt that it was Washington who came out of the interview appearing pretentious in his response

Others took a more neutral approach in their response, accepting the premise that the celebrated actor was not a superfan of cinema, or at least Kubrick’s films.

Another user said Washington was “just being difficult because he was difficult,” while one user said the question about Kubrick did not cross the line or make assumptions.

“Why is everyone acting like this is a pretentious question, it’s such a valid question,” said one user.

Others took a more neutral approach in their response, accepting the premise that the celebrated actor was not a superfan of cinema.

“This is not unusual,” said one user. “Just because you’re really good at something doesn’t mean you’re a big fan of the art/craft.”

Another added: “I think you’re reading too much into it – Denzel said he’s not a movie buff and didn’t watch movies growing up. It’s that simple.’