In an interview with Vulture, Jessica Lange expressed her criticism of the Hollywood film industry for valuing profits over creativity. She specifically targeted Warner Bros. Discovery for shelving films like Batgirl and Coyote vs. Acme for tax write-offs. Lange argued that there should be laws against such practices, emphasizing the need to protect the artistic process from corporate interests.
Lange pointed out that many films are now driven by a profit motive rather than an artistic impulse. She praised foreign films like Anatomy of a Fall, which she said emphasized the importance of exploring ambiguity in storytelling. She also lamented the prevalence of big franchises in Hollywood, noting that despite her respect for the craft, she has not been approached to star in any such projects as she wouldn’t know what to do with them.
Reminiscing about the days when filmmaking involved meticulous attention to detail and waiting hours on set to get the lighting just right, Lange contrasted this older, more deliberate approach with the fast-paced digital age where cinematographers no longer have enough time to craft each shot. However, despite her concerns about the changing landscape of the industry, Lange expressed gratitude for having had opportunities early in her career to work with renowned filmmakers.
Overall, Lange’s comments reflect a growing frustration within Hollywood over its shift towards profit-driven strategies and how it has impacted the creative process.
