Ayo Edeberi’s latest movie, After the Hunt, recently premiered at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, which also means the cast is on a press run to promote the Luca Guadagnino-led project. However, things took a turn during an interview with ArtsLife TV when the outlet asked Ayo’s co-stars, Andrew Garfield and Julia Roberts, what people can expect in Hollywood once the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements are “done.”
Andrew seemed stunned and uncomfortable at the question as he turned toward his co-stars. Julia then asked the journalist, Federica Polidoro, to repeat the question after her initial confusion. That’s when Ayo intervened, though the question was only directed at her white co-stars.
“I know that that’s not for me, and I don’t know if it’s purposeful if it’s not for me… I don’t think it’s done,” she said of the politically-charged social movements, to which Julia and Andrew agreed.
The Emmy-winner continued, “I don’t think it’s done at all. Hashtags might not be used as much, but there’s work being done by activists and people every day that’s really important…that work isn’t finished at all.”
Andrew then echoed Ayo’s sentiment, adding that the work behind #MeToo and #BLM is “still absolutely alive.”
A few days after the awkward question went viral, Federica issued a statement on her Instagram profile, writing, in part, “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 continued, “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.”
The After the Hunt cast has yet to respond to Federica’s claims.
