Randall Park, the actor and director of “Shortcomings”, a film adaptation of Adrian Tomine’s graphic novel, has criticized Hollywood for making more movies based on toys instead of focusing on women filmmakers and stories. Park made his remarks at the Toronto International Film Festival, where his film premiered to positive reviews.
Park said that he was inspired by Greta Gerwig, who directed “Barbie”, a film that broke box office records and received rave reviews. He praised Gerwig for taking the iconic toy and making it into a smart, funny, and empowering movie. He said that Gerwig is one of his favorite filmmakers and that he thinks she did something really special with “Barbie”.
However, Park also said that he thinks Hollywood is taking the wrong lessons from “Barbie”. He said that instead of making more movies by and about women, the industry is making more movies based on toys. He said that this is a mistake and that the industry should give more opportunities to independent women directors and producers.
“I think Hollywood is taking the wrong lessons from ‘Barbie’. They’re like, ‘Oh, let’s make more movies based on toys.’ No, let’s make more movies by and about women. That’s the lesson.” – Randall Park
Park joked that his film is part of a trio with “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer”, a biopic of the atomic bomb scientist directed by Christopher Nolan, that made history in cinema. He said that his film is very personal for him and that it deals with Asian American identity, relationships, and sexuality. He said that his film is also very funny and honest and that he thinks it is a film that a lot of people can relate to.
“I’m really proud of ‘Shortcomings’. It’s a very personal film for me. It’s about Asian American identity, relationships, and sexuality. It’s also very funny and honest. I think it’s a film that a lot of people can relate to.” – Randall Park
Park’s comments sparked an online debate, with some agreeing with him and others defending the creative choices of filmmakers and studios. Some Twitter users said that Park is right and that Hollywood needs to stop making movies based on toys and start making movies based on stories. They said that there are many talented women filmmakers out there who deserve a chance to shine.
“Randall Park is right. Hollywood needs to stop making movies based on toys and start making movies based on stories. There are so many talented women filmmakers out there who deserve a chance to shine.” – A Twitter user
Other Twitter users said that Park is wrong and that Hollywood can make movies based on whatever they want. They said that there is nothing wrong with making movies based on toys and that some of them are very entertaining and creative. They also said that some of them are also made by and about women.
“Randall Park is wrong. Hollywood can make movies based on whatever they want. There is nothing wrong with making movies based on toys. Some of them are very entertaining and creative. And some of them are also made by and about women.” – Another Twitter user
Relevant articles:
– Hollywood Is Taking the ‘Wrong Lessons’ From ‘Barbie,’ Says Randall Park: ‘Make More Movies by and About Women,’ Not Films Based on Toys, Variety, August 15, 2023
– Randall Park Says Industry Taking Wrong Lessons from Barbie Success, Screen Rant, August 16, 2023
– What did Randall Park say about Barbie? Actor’s remarks spark online debate, Sportskeeda, August 15, 2023
– Randall Park: Hollywood should make more movies by and about women, not toys, The Independent, August 16, 2023