In a recent interview for the series Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace? by Max, the actor Ethan Hawke shared a significant anecdote from the night of the 2002 Oscars. On that occasion, the actor was nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category for his role in the police thriller Training Day (Training Day), directed by Antoine Fuqua.
Although the award that night went to Jim Broadbent for “Iris,” Hawke received advice from Denzel Washington, his co-star in the film, who curiously had won the Oscar for Best Actor that same night. According to Ethan, after not winning the statuette, Denzel himself told him: “It’s better that you didn’t win. Losing was better.”
The actor of The black phone He said that Washington presented him with a good reason why one should not seek an award to improve one’s position in the film industry. “You don’t want an award to improve your status. “You want to improve the status of the award”the veteran actor of the saga told him The vigilante.
“The Academy Award has more power, because Denzel has a pair. The award did not elevate him”Hawke explained. During the interview, the interpreter also expressed his admiration for Denzel and described him as “the best actor of our generation.”
This interaction not only provided Hawke with a refreshing perspective on awards and recognition in the industry, but also deeply inspired him in his approach to acting, making him more open to exploring various facets within the field of acting itself.
This advice from Washington appears to have had a lasting impact on Hawke, who He has been nominated for four Oscars throughout his careerincluding two acting nominations in the supporting category (Training Day and Boyhood) and two per adapted script (Before sunset and Before Midnight).
Despite the direct question about whether he would have liked to win the Oscar for Training DayHawke provided an ambivalent response, expressing that being nominated alongside the likes of Denzel Washington and Ian McKellen already felt like a victory in itself.
“No. I mean, yeah, I guess. I mean, I wouldn’t,” Hawke responded, reflecting a carefree but grateful attitude for the recognition of his work. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of performance and creativity beyond awards, a lesson learned through his experience with Washington.
Beyond his reflections on the Oscars and his acting career, Hawke is also promoting his latest directorial effort, Wildcat. The film features her daughter, Maya Hawke, in the role of the novelist. Flannery O’Connormarking a significant project both professionally and personally for Hawke.
It is a biographical drama that explores the tribulations of the novelist Flannery O’Connor to publish his first novel, also inspired by his short stories. The film, co-written by Hawke along with Shelby Gaines, has an outstanding cast that in addition to Maya also includes Laura Linney, Philip Ettinger, Rafael Casal, Cooper Hoffman, Steve Zahn, among others.
Following its world premiere at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on September 1, 2023, Wildcat is scheduled for a limited release on May 3, 2024, followed by a general release. Filming took place primarily in Louisville, Kentucky, during January and February 2023, also extending to Shelbyville and Frankfort.
After its presentation in Telluride, the film was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival 2023. Oscilloscope Laboratories acquired US distribution rights in January 2024, setting the stage for its long-awaited theatrical release.
