One thing about the modern age that has often troubled me is how overly reactive of a society we have become. On the one hand, I appreciate that more and more people are paying attention to things that have, historically, not had enough attention or advocacy given to them, such as the need for better mental healthcare and the injustices of many still-oppressed people to this day. But, on the other hand, I don’t appreciate how too many people appear to leap to conclusions whenever someone makes a comment or a statement that, while sounding controversial and inappropriate in the moment, may not be what was intended, yet people are quick to judge, ridicule, and criticize. This isn’t to say that such reactions aren’t valid or justified (they often are), but there are times when it benefits everyone to take a breath before responding to something on social media. Yes, I’m guilty of this myself, and yes, I’m also trying to do better.
The most recent example of this unusual situation is a comment made by the young actor, Timothée Chalamet, late of the Dune remake, the prequel to Willy Wonka, and one of this years Oscar contenders in Marty Supreme, about the arts as a whole in the age of streaming and TikTok. While I cannot proclaim to understand what his intentions may have been with his comments, I can say that I understand why many people would be upset about them. I can also understand that, to a degree, I get where he was likely coming from, and I do believe that he could have phrased his comments in a better way. Plus, we could have taken a moment to contemplate before expressing our distain.
If you please; hear me out.
For those of you who may have missed this story (like I did), during an interview on CNN’s Variety, Timothée Chalamet commented on the movement to support movie theaters in the modern age, given their massive decline due to aggressive competition from streaming platforms and the like. This topic caused Chalamet to say, “I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera. Things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though no one cares about this any more.’” Shortly after, he would attempt to clarify his comments by saying, “All respect to all the ballet and opera people out there…” but the damage had already been done, and the internet screamed as it typically does, albeit for understandable reasons.
Now, despite how this sounds on the surface, there are a few ways this comment may be interpreted: one, he may have intended to comment on the perception of how seemingly not enough people care about the arts as they should, which is a valid observation and genuine concern for the modern age; two, he may have indeed intended to dismiss the arts as a dying aspect of modern culture, which is indeed worthy of retort; or three, he may have been looking to start a little controversy for some extra publicity during award season, which, while distasteful, isn’t anything new in Hollywood.
In case you’re wondering, no, I do not agree with Chalamet’s comments, regardless of what he may or may not have intended! While I myself may not attend Ballet shows or the Opera as often as many others do, I find great value in their artistic expression, cultural significance, and contribution to the human condition as a whole. As a fully-trained theater actor, self-trained filmmaker, and author, I’d like to think that I have a firm understanding and appreciation for all art forms, regardless of popularity or lack thereof.
Having said that, while I’m not prepared to defend Chalamet’s comments, I am prepared to suggest that we take a step back and reevaluate our initial reactions.
The part of me that still believes in the milk of human kindness, wants to believe that Chalamet was coming from a place of concern rather than apathy. Given Chalamet’s background growing up with his Ballet-teaching mother, I find it challenging to believe that he doesn’t have, at least, a little respect for the arts. But, the part of me that also recognizes the brain-rotting parasite known as the Hollywood experience, can easily suspect that Chalamet’s rise to stardom has caused his perceptions to be warped in the most unhealthiest of ways; giving himself a false sense of entitlement and superiority. The later is incredibly indicative of the Hollywood experience to this day.
If there is one lesson we should all take away from this incident, let it be this: the arts are as necessary for a functioning society as proper governance and neighborly helpfulness. Human expression comes in many forms, some maybe more popular than others, but equally valid in their importance and contributions to the human condition. So, before we continue spending our energy screaming at a 30-year-old performer, who, admittedly, wasn't as mindful as he probably should have been, let us now redirect that energy toward proving said performer wrong; let us support and create our chosen filed of the arts, and share it with all those who may choose to join.
“So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see, so long lives this, and this gives life to thee.”
-William Shakespeare
Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.
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