Adam Driver criticizes Netflix, Amazon for failing to meet striking actors’ demands
Driver spoke out during a promotional appearance at the Venice Film Festival.
Adam Driver spoke at a Venice Film Festival press conference earlier today (Thursday), using his platform to criticize a number of major movie studios over their refusal to play by union rules.
Driver is in Venice to promote his appearance in the upcoming Michael Mann movie, Ferrari. The Star Wars and Marriage Story actor isn't breaking terms of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike by appearing at the festival as the movie, a biopic of Italian racing driver Enzo Ferrari, has a SAG interim agreement and was made independent of the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
Rolling Stone reports that Driver told the media in attendance at the press conference that he “stands in solidarity” with the actors currently on strike.
“I’m very happy to be here to support this movie — the truncated schedule that we had to shoot it, and the efforts of all the incredible actors working on it, and the crew — but also, I’m very proud to be here to be a visual representation of a movie that’s not part of the AMPTP, and to promote the SAG leadership directive, which is an effective tactic, which is the interim agreement,” Driver said.
He also pointed to Netflix and Amazon as examples of studios that could strike a deal in the ongoing dispute, but that are currently unable to reach an agreement with the unions despite being at a standstill for over 100 days now.
“Why is it that a smaller distribution company like [Ferrari backers] Neon and STX International can meet the dream demands of what SAG is asking for… but a big company like Netflix and Amazon can’t?” he asked. “And every time people from SAG go and support a movie that has agreed to these terms, an interim agreement, it just makes it more obvious that these people are willing to support the people they collaborate with and the others are not.”
He continued: “Understanding the interim agreement, it’s a no-brainer for all of these reasons why you’d want to support your union, and I’m here because of that: to stand in solidarity with them by showing up, and further proving the point that it’s really about the people you make it with.”
Ferrari is due to open in theaters on December 26. In addition to Driver, the movie also stars Penélope Cruz and Hugh Jackman. See below for a teaser trailer.