‘Gladiator 2’ Star Paul Mescal Disgusted by Films Being Talked About as ‘Content’: ‘That’s a Filthy Word. It’s Not Content. It’s F—ing Work.’

As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of celluloid dreams, I wholeheartedly agree with Paul Mescal‘s sentiments regarding the devaluation of filmmaking through the use of the term “content.” The craftsmanship and artistry that goes into creating a movie are not merely content, they are the lifeblood of storytelling and the soul of human expression.

Paul Mescal, who played in “Gladiator II” and was nominated for an Oscar for “Aftersun,” recently criticized calling films as mere “content” to The Sunday Times. He considered this term a dirty word, arguing that it doesn’t seem fitting for movies like Ridley Scott’s upcoming “Gladiator” sequel due to their artistic quality. Unlike some productions, it wasn’t made primarily to increase social media popularity or engagement.

For several years now, people have been discussing films in terms of content. However, Mescal considers this term rather distasteful. He believes it’s not just ‘content’, but laborious work that deserves respect. “I’m not being pretentious,” he clarified, “but there are two parallel industries at play. One that focuses on quantity over quality, disregarding artistic integrity. Feel free to create content for Instagram followers if you wish…But the other is the enduring art of cinema — writing, directing, cinematography, and production design. This is what nurtures artists.

Paul Mescal, known for his captivating performances in “Aftersun” and “Normal People,” has earned a reputation among film enthusiasts as a respected actor. Now, he’s set to take his career to new heights with a leading role in “Gladiator II,” sharing the screen with Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Joseph Quinn. Despite this upcoming blockbuster opportunity, Mescal expressed to The Times U.K. that he might feel deeply sad if the sequel brings him unimaginable fame.

He stated that he would provide a response within the next year, yet if this movie significantly affects his life, it could put him in a difficult position. He’d need to adapt and stage an obscure play that few people are interested in.

“Gladiator II” opens in theaters nationwide Nov. 22 from Paramount Pictures.

2024-11-06 18:48

‘Gladiator 2’ Star Paul Mescal Disgusted by Films Being Talked About as ‘Content’: ‘That’s a Filthy Word. It’s Not Content. It’s F—ing Work.’

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