Ethan Hawke, the celebrated actor and director, delivered a thought-provoking and candid master class at the Venice Film Festival, where he shared his insights on the joys and challenges of filmmaking. He touched upon his experiences with legendary directors like Richard Linklater and Peter Weir, his thoughts on Hollywood's obsession with blockbuster franchises, and the glaring gender disparity in his collaborations.
A Nostalgic Return to Venice
Hawke began the session by reminiscing about his first visit to the Venice Film Festival as a young actor promoting Dead Poets Society. “It was my first film festival. I was 18 years old. We showed the movie down the street, and it was an incredible experience,” Hawke recalled. He described how the film, under Peter Weir's direction, cast a spell over the audience, demonstrating the powerful impact of collective imagination in filmmaking.
Hawke likened the experience of making a film to the addictive joy often associated with doing drugs. “You just want to do it again. It's such a wonderful feeling because you don't feel alone,” he said, emphasizing the communal aspect of filmmaking and the high that comes from being part of a creative dream that resonates with others.
The Gender Disparity in Hollywood
During the discussion, Hawke acknowledged an uncomfortable truth about his career: the lack of opportunities he's had to work with female directors. “I've worked with a lot of men from all over the world,” he said. “And I've only worked with a handful of female directors, which is, I would say, embarrassing for me, but it's embarrassing for the industry because I want to.”
This admission sheds light on the broader issue of gender inequality in Hollywood, where female filmmakers continue to be underrepresented. Hawke's comments underscore the need for the industry to create more opportunities for women behind the camera.
The Struggle Between Art and Commerce
Hawke didn't hold back when discussing the financial pressures that dominate Hollywood. He expressed admiration for filmmakers like Francis Ford Coppola, who took personal financial risks to fund their dream projects, such as Megalopolis. “Greed runs our universe,” Hawke stated bluntly. He criticized the industry's fixation on profit, which often leads to the prioritization of commercial success over artistic integrity. “The whole industry that runs movie making is designed to make money,” he said, lamenting that many of the greatest films were driven by passion, not profit.
Hawke also reflected on his long-standing collaboration with Richard Linklater, whom he described as a true artist more concerned with the medium of film than with fame or fortune. Their partnership, which began with Before Sunrise, marked the start of Hawke's “adult relationship” with filmmaking. Hawke praised Linklater's dedication to the evolution of cinema and his focus on creating meaningful art rather than chasing blockbuster success.
The Magic of Independent Films
Hawke drew a comparison between blockbuster franchises and independent films, using Harry Potter and Star Wars as examples. While he enjoys these big-budget spectacles, he admitted to feeling a sense of disappointment afterward, wishing he could be part of their fantastical worlds. In contrast, he explained, Linklater's films leave him feeling fulfilled by their exploration of real human connections. “You don't have to walk on water, you get to walk on Earth,” Hawke said, quoting a Zen saying to illustrate the grounded, yet magical, experience of watching Linklater's work.
Facing Setbacks and Moving Forward
When asked about dealing with setbacks in his career, Hawke was candid about the emotional toll of unfulfilled dreams. “Tears have been shed. I have come up against the wall all the time,” he admitted. However, he emphasized the importance of turning feelings of jealousy or frustration into motivation to keep pursuing one's passions.
Looking ahead, Hawke is set to receive the Golden Panther Award at the Lucca Film Festival in Italy and will present his latest directorial effort, Wildcat, starring his daughter Maya Hawke. He will also honor Paul Schrader, who directed him in First Reformed, with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
In conclusion, Ethan Hawke's master class at the Venice Film Festival was a blend of nostalgia, critique, and inspiration. His reflections on the art and business of filmmaking, his acknowledgment of the industry's gender imbalance, and his unwavering passion for cinema left the audience with much to ponder about the current state and future of Hollywood.
