When you’re someone that has as much clout, acclaim, and experience in the film industry as Paul Schrader, you tend to not give a shit about what you say on social media. Whether it’s calling Brian De Palma “trite” or saying a “Taxi Driver” sequel that Robert De Niro wanted to make was the “stupidest fucking idea,” Schrader isn’t ever going to be the guy that bites his tongue when he has something to say. And that even means criticizing the comments made by one of the best actors working today.
According to the filmmaker’s Facebook page (which, once again, we implore you to follow), Schrader shared our report about Mark Ruffalo’s comments that Martin Scorsese should create a national endowment for new filmmakers if he’s so unhappy with the current studio-dominated industry. And in typical Schrader fashion, no punches were pulled.
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“I never met Mark Ruffalo but “stupid” is not a word that would have come to mind. But, damn, this is stupid,” wrote the filmmaker.
The “First Reformed” filmmaker’s comments about Ruffalo’s idea seems to echo the sentiment felt by many on social media that feel Scorsese has already given a great deal of his own personal time, money, and effort to promote the film industry. As we previously wrote, Scorsese has created two foundations that have restored and released hundreds of films from all around the world to new audiences. And not only that, the “Goodfellas” director has consistently been the type of person to highlight new filmmakers and even take some under his wing.
Needless to say, the comments that Ruffalo made to the BBC aren’t gaining the support he might have anticipated. And when you have someone like Schrader entering the conversation, then it’s clear you may be on the wrong side of the debate.