Adam Driver, renowned actor and star of the film Ferrari, has publicly criticized leading film studios such as Netflix and Amazon for their refusal to address the demands of striking writers and actors. Speaking at a press conference during the Venice Film Festival, Driver expressed his disappointment with these industry giants for not supporting their fellow professionals.
The festival’s guest list has been relatively modest in terms of A-list celebrities this year, with Driver standing out as one of the few prominent figures in attendance. His film Ferrari, directed by Michael Mann, was granted an exemption from Sag-Aftra (Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) due to being produced outside the traditional studio system.
Union regulations prevent actors from promoting their movies until issues related to pay, residuals, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence are resolved with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the trade association representing major studios, including streaming platforms.
Driver’s support for his film and his union’s directive was evident in his remarks. He praised the “interim agreement,” which enables independent films unrelated to the AMPTP to keep the industry functioning. He questioned why smaller distribution companies, like Neon and STX International, can meet the demands outlined by Sag-Aftra, while major players like Netflix and Amazon cannot.
The actor highlighted the importance of solidarity within the industry and emphasized the collaborative nature of filmmaking. Driver’s previous collaborations with Netflix, including Marriage Story (2019) and White Noise (2022), did not deter him from raising concerns about the practices of these big studios.
Michael Mann, the director of Ferrari, echoed Driver’s sentiments, emphasizing the united stance of the film’s team in support of Sag-Aftra and the Writers Guild of America. Mann emphasized that the film’s creation involved sacrifices, with key individuals forgoing significant portions of their salaries to bring the project to life. The film explores a pivotal period in Enzo Ferrari’s life during 1957, depicting the challenges he faced against the backdrop of Formula One racing.
Driver also touched on the added responsibility of portraying characters from different cultures, a theme seen in both Ferrari and his previous film House of Gucci. He acknowledged the importance of immersing oneself in the culture to portray these characters authentically, comparing it to learning a new language. For Driver, the opportunity to empathize with diverse perspectives is one of the most rewarding aspects of his acting career.
In conclusion, Adam Driver’s candid remarks during the Venice Film Festival shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by writers and actors within the film industry. His call for major studios to address the concerns of industry professionals highlights the need for unity and support within the filmmaking community.
