I have been trying to log in for the past 12hours, finally ! Admin, there was a problem, it wouldn't even show the forum main page. I didn't know how to tell you! Well, I'm glad it's fixed now. I was dying to comment on this interview. It helps so much to understand him. As a fan I appreciate that ! I will be back during the weekend. I want to say more .. For now , Joaquin : Your fans stand beside you, doesn't matter what the press says! We know what really matters :)

I had trouble viewing the forum last night too. A page came up saying there had been a serious error loading the forum and to contact the administrator if it kept happening. Glad you're on the case, Admin.


I agree; there's a real sense of conversation going on rather than just a Q&A session.


Joaquin's comment about the Oscars (or rather, a snippet of all that Joaquin has to say about the Oscars) has been in a lot of the press and media here. Not front-page news but a mention nonetheless. I think it's a brilliant interview. There's a lot to take in and digest though and I need to read it again but I'm sure there's something I'd like to say and will do.

Btw: I think the accompanying photo is just wonderful. Joaquin's face looks so elastic and pliable as if it's made of putty.

Admin,
I agree w you, it's bread and circus. I agree w Joaquin too. For an artist who uses his/her heart , his/her work is so personal , it's a part of themselves . To take that and put it in a context where it can win or loose its a huge stress and a nonsense. Art shouldn't be competitive because it's based on creativity and there aren't rights or wrongs or better than.. It's so artificial! Why do we let it happen?

---

I love the interview because he pretty much answered every question I had as of lately !

The racism comments surprised me. I didnt know he's sensitive to that. I noticed the same when I go to the movies and I wonder how black people must feel. In any case, the Latino cliche is even worse than the African-American. They're portrayed as criminals very often . What about the Muslim cliche? Ok let's not go there !

His comment about the 13 year old girl .. It surprised me. Sometimes I feel guilty for having what I have and I feel selfish , others I envy other people bec they had it better .. There is always a worse and a better . This girl , at least she has food, a roof, and she has both hands . Think about children in Syria, other countries , how many of them are being killed as we speak ? If you start thinking this way you can't live . Having the opportunity to live and not doing so when others would gladly live and can't, would be a crime. This is the way I look at it.

I understand about $20M .. If I had it I would be thinking about it all the time .

---

Joy, I like the pic too. The interview is very controversial so I think the pic fits very well. He could easily get punched by someone for his words ! (Not me)

Edited by user Friday, October 19, 2012 1:52:07 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hi Admin & Sami,

Joaquin says “It was one of the most uncomfortable periods of my life when ‘Walk the Line’ was going through all the awards stuff and all that. I never want to have that experience again.” In that case, I hope the Academy respects his feelings and doesn’t nominate him, no matter how deserving he is of a nomination or an award. None of this will spoil my going to see the film – I’m still looking forward to it! But I don’t think I would get any enjoyment out of seeing any photos or footage if he is persuaded to participate in all the awards stuff after all, now that I know how he feels and how uncomfortable he would be. I respect that he’s tasted that carrot once and doesn’t want to taste it again.


I don’t recall Joaquin ever bringing this subject up in interviews before but maybe because the subject has been on his mind lately (the film meeting and his experience with the kids) and the guy interviewing him is black, Joaquin just felt comfortable enough to discuss what had happened.

Something I read about Will Smith a few years back came to mind:
Will Smith claims he was forbidden from kissing Cameron Diaz on screen because of American racism. The actor said Hollywood panders to the nation's problem of seeing a black man and white woman getting intimate and stopped the co-stars kissing in new movie 'Hitch'. To avoid controversy, Smith says he smooched Latin beauty Eva Mendes instead. The 36-year-old 'Men in Black' star said: "How are you not going to consider Cameron Diaz? But Hollywood is nervous about a black man kissing a white woman on screen. "That becomes massive news in the US. Outside America, it's no big deal. But in the US, it's still a racial issue. Ironically, Hollywood is happy to do it if the film is about racism. But they won't simply do it and ignore it."


I’d spend it! I’ll leave you to imagine what I’d spend it on though. I’d like to think I was strong enough to handle having that kind of money but it’s easy to say that when you don’t have it and I’m sure it would come with all sorts of other stuff which is alien to my life atm. Seems to me that Joaquin knows how seductive to the ego it would all be.


I think it’s sad that Joaquin is unable to enjoy films because, like a magician, he knows everything that happens. I really like (some) old black & white films and sometimes it’s pretty damn obvious that the characters are not in a car driving along a real road, for example, but that doesn’t spoil my enjoyment of the film because I’m able to suspend disbelief and enjoy the dialogue or story. One of the perks of being a film-goer rather than an actor, I guess.



And how! (me neither)

About ISH: I was sceptical about the reality of it all from the start, wondering if it was going to be ‘Spinal Rap’ or something along those lines. I had it in my head that perhaps some of it was Joaquin’s way of making a statement about the media regarding what had happened to him when his brother died and the emergency call was broadcast everywhere. I mean, up to the point where Joaquin ‘retired’ and started on his rap ‘career’ practically everything written about him, interviews he gave, etc., would mention the phone call. Joaquin even spoke about it when he came out of rehab after filming ‘Walk the Line’:

“You know, the press has kind of imposed upon me the title of Mourning Brother, and because I haven’t been vocal about it, the assumption is that I’m holding onto this (stuff) that’s just not there.”

On another occasion he said:

“When my brother passed it was toward the end of an era. If it had happened much later, it would have been on a lot of fucking blogs. The amount of information flying back and forth now has just gone beyond comprehension… In some ways it’s hard to swallow. It makes you feel sick about yourself and about human beings. You look at yourself and say, ‘When have I exploited others and been voyeuristic?’ The thing we should be discussing in the news, what the media should be going after in a heartless way, isn’t the family of somebody who has passed away, but instead – oh, I don’t know – how about a president who’s lying? That’s not to say my brother’s life didn’t have value, but it certainly did not deserve to be covered more than world politics and other important issues, particularly when death happens every day to millions of people all over the world and we don’t seem to give a fuck about that.”

So, I was thinking to myself whilst all that rap stuff was going on and the whole thing was going nuts in the media (blogs, message boards, social media and fan forums included) and we were watching it unfold, that Joaquin was manipulating (for want of another word) things in such a way that from now on, this is what he would be remembered for, and not the phone call. I didn’t think it was the sole reasoning behind ISH and the rap stuff, but that it was in there somewhere.

When I went to see the film I knew it wasn’t ‘real’. But there was one scene where Joaquin cries off camera and I felt that was the only real thing in the entire film and hearing him cry like that was just too much for me. It was that part which I felt like punching him for. Not because he was crying but because of the phone call. The thing is, unlike some fans I’ve not heard that phone call and never have had any desire whatsoever to hear it. Not even a smidgeon of curiosity to listen to it. I can’t adequately explain what happened with that scene and its effect on me and I can’t explain how I felt either. It’s one of those things where you feel something, like being in love for example, but just can’t express it in words. You just know that you feel something and the whole thing makes sense in that feeling. Wanting to punch Joaquin was because he ‘made’ me feel the way I did at that time. That I had heard something private that I shouldn’t have. After all, he cried off camera, not on.

Whilst I’m on the subject….I’m not the best Joaquin fan in the world but no one could ever say anything to me that could justify the release and broadcast of that phone call. It was a gross breach of professional conduct by the emergency services and a gross breach of caller confidentiality. This whole thing fills me with rage! Livid!

Think what you like about me. I know my reaction to the crying in the film was irrational but everyone else seems to be getting things off their chests lately as far as Joaquin’s concerned and this has been on mine for a long time, so why not me now? If you’re reading this Joaquin, please understand that it’s not my intention to cause offence to you.

I would give away most of the money to influence the world . I would invest it in projects that helped people and protected the environment. Then I would give money to all my family members and then I would keep some for my savings. I thought about it already . I would get rid of a big chunk of money as fast as possible !!!

What would you do?

Edited by user Monday, October 22, 2012 8:37:45 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

joy wrote:

Hi Admin & Sami,
Joaquin says “It was one of the most uncomfortable periods of my life when ‘Walk the Line’ was going through all the awards stuff and all that. I never want to have that experience again.” In that case, I hope the Academy respects his feelings and doesn’t nominate him, no matter how deserving he is of a nomination or an award. None of this will spoil my going to see the film – I’m still looking forward to it! But I don’t think I would get any enjoyment out of seeing any photos or footage if he is persuaded to participate in all the awards stuff after all, now that I know how he feels and how uncomfortable he would be. I respect that he’s tasted that carrot once and doesn’t want to taste it again.

Hi Joy,
I agree with you in that it would be wrong for Joaquin to be persuaded to go to the Oscars. Imagine he's nominated and he has to go, knowing the way he feels, it would be excruciating to watch. Thanks for making me see it this way !


Another proof Oscars are a joke: Annette Benning didn't win it last year for The Kids are Alright. Instead Natalie Portman won it for the Black Swan. Always pretty young female wins. If we follow this logic you need to feel bad for Brad Pitt. You can tell he would have really liked to get one. He's showed up almost every year for his nominations, always faithful and believing and he's never got it. I think the academy likes to nominate him because of his celebrity status and the buzz he generates. I would give him one just for perseverance.

sami wrote:

The racism comments surprised me. I didnt know he's sensitive to that.

joy wrote:

I don’t recall Joaquin ever bringing this subject up in interviews before but maybe because the subject has been on his mind lately (the film meeting and his experience with the kids) and the guy interviewing him is black, Joaquin just felt comfortable enough to discuss what had happened.

Something I read about Will Smith a few years back came to mind:
Will Smith claims he was forbidden from kissing Cameron Diaz on screen because of American racism. The actor said Hollywood panders to the nation's problem of seeing a black man and white woman getting intimate and stopped the co-stars kissing in new movie 'Hitch'. To avoid controversy, Smith says he smooched Latin beauty Eva Mendes instead. The 36-year-old 'Men in Black' star said: "How are you not going to consider Cameron Diaz? But Hollywood is nervous about a black man kissing a white woman on screen. "That becomes massive news in the US. Outside America, it's no big deal. But in the US, it's still a racial issue. Ironically, Hollywood is happy to do it if the film is about racism. But they won't simply do it and ignore it."

Thanks for this quote. It's a shame that a black man can't kiss a white woman in a movie. What is really revealing is that they would let it happen if the movie was about "racism" but not if the movie was just regular.. This shows the hypocrisy.. like "yes, we really mean it"
My city is very divers but it's very segregated. In contrast, I remember that my first impression of London was how cosmopolitan it looked. I saw a lot of of mixed couples in the street. In the USA I rarely see it.

sami wrote:

I understand about $20M .. If I had it I would be thinking about it all the time.

joy wrote:

I’d spend it! I’ll leave you to imagine what I’d spend it on though. I’d like to think I was strong enough to handle having that kind of money but it’s easy to say that when you don’t have it and I’m sure it would come with all sorts of other stuff which is alien to my life atm. Seems to me that Joaquin knows how seductive to the ego it would all be.

My guess: You would spend the money in a big garden and a greenhouse. Perhaps even build a landscaping company ! You'd also trvel to Indonesia to look for exotic plants

Regarding Joaquin, I think it's very sweet of him to not want the money. Just think about it, he can actually have it but he chooses not to. This alone, WOW ...

joy wrote:

I think it’s sad that Joaquin is unable to enjoy films because, like a magician, he knows everything that happens. I really like (some) old black & white films and sometimes it’s pretty damn obvious that the characters are not in a car driving along a real road, for example, but that doesn’t spoil my enjoyment of the film because I’m able to suspend disbelief and enjoy the dialogue or story. One of the perks of being a film-goer rather than an actor, I guess.

Yes,I know what you mean, you end up suggesting yourself to believe it's true. I do that to with old films as well. They have this sweet naivety to them.

Joaquin said in the interview that sometimes he manages to forget about the process and just enjoy the film when it's a really good one.


---

I will continue with the rest of your message another time. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts Joy. I hope you don't mind all the going back and forth !

Edited by user Tuesday, October 23, 2012 12:47:06 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

[

admin wrote:

From comments on the the internet from people who read the interview it appears Joaquin has lots of support for his views on The Oscars.

AWESOME

admin wrote:

... it really is just an annual soulless, backslapping, hyped up dog and pony show to keep the masses distracted for another day when they should really be interested in other things in their own lives.

WELL SAID I have fallen for it many times too. I am trying to not watch TV shows.. It's hard not to !! It's like a drug

admin wrote:

People have allowed "the powers that be" to use entertainment to take up far too much of their lives (the old Roman empire bread and circuses technique).

Yes, I agree, in general we have been numb for a long time. Lots of people still are. For a long time we were just a piece for the machine to work. I believe In part, we are breaking the patterns thanks to the internet. There is more information, and not just one source but many sources. People can talk about the news, and can actually spread the news.. It's fantastic. There is so much potential and creativity. I learned to think for myself online, not in school or in my own family. I owe this to the internet !

admin wrote:

Anyway, it would be great now to see Joaquin nominated for an Oscar and to win it, it would just be an interesting situation to see now after Joaquin's comments... i bet he'd handle it great!

I don't think Joaquin would show up if he won .. Do you think he would contradict himself like that? He said he doesn't care at all !

It will be def. very interesting to see what happens with all , it's a bit messy right now.
Last year, The Artist won so many prizes and everybody was saying the Academy was going through a big crisis.. YAWN .. Maybe it's time they start re-thinking the whole thing, opening it up to the new generation.. all the films that didn't get nominated, many indie films that should've made it... Whatever, because we don't care in here, right?

Edited by user Tuesday, October 23, 2012 12:42:52 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified