The Italian reporter whose interview with After the Hunt’s Ayo Edebiri, Julia Roberts, and Andrew Garfield went viral has broken her silence.
Federica Polidoro, a journalist, generated controversy after removing Edebiri, 29, from a question about the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements when interviewing celebrities on ArtsLife TV on Friday, September 5.
Edebiri gently reacted when Polidoro aimed a question at those topics, especially Roberts, 57, and Garfield, 42, and the reporter was later called out for allegedly disregarding the actress.
Polidoro said on Instagram on Monday, September 8, that she has “been subjected to personal insults and attacks because of a question that, for some reason, was not well received by some members of the public.”
“I find it striking that those who unjustly accuse me of racism and consider themselves custodians of justice find acceptable violent language, personal attacks, and cyberbullying,” Polidoro said in a legally binding declaration.
She went on to write, “I would like to clarify that, rather than focusing on the thoughtful responses of Ayo Edebiri, Julia Roberts, and Andrew Garfield, the discussion continues solely on how I should have phrased the question.” All contributions from those present were fully reported in the published interview, with no omissions.
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When Polidoro directly asked Edebiri, Roberts, and Garfield during their interview, “Now that the #MeToo era and the Black Lives Matter [movement] are done, what do we have to expect in Hollywood?” they all seemed shocked. She also challenged them to consider “what we lost… with the politically correct era.”
“Yeah, I know that that’s not for me, and I don’t know if it’s purposeful that it’s not for me, but I just am curious.” Edebiri answered swiftly, as Roberts stated, “It’s not done.”
“I don’t think it’s finished.” I don’t think it’s done,” Edebiri stated in part. “I believe hashtags might not be used as often, but I do think that there’s work being done by activists and individuals every day that’s beautiful, essential work that’s not completed—that’s really, really, very active for a reason, ’cause this world is highly charged. And that task is not accomplished at all.”
The interaction received a lot of attention online, with fans wondering why Edebiri was allegedly omitted from a question about actors’ perspectives on the current state of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Polidoro responded to the outrage on Instagram, writing that she feels “censoring or delegitimizing questions considered ‘uncomfortable’ does not fall within the practice of democracy.”
The writer also commented that she has “interviewed people of every background and ethnicity, and my own family is multi-ethnic, matriarchal, and feminist, with a significant history of immigration” in response to people who she believes have “unjustly accused me of racism.”
“For over twenty years, I have cooperated with several national and international periodicals of all political orientations, always approaching my work with transparency and professional rigor. Polidoro stated that the true racists are those who see racism in every situation and attempt to silence the media, thereby restricting freedom of analysis, critical thinking, and a diversity of opinions.
She stated, “Journalism’s mission is to raise questions, especially on sensitive subjects, with respect and responsibility. I will not tolerate or accept libelous or violent behavior, and I reserve the right to pursue legal action against individuals who, in recent days, have chosen to insult and attack me rather than engage in a calm and constructive conversation.”
After the Hunt, which opens in cinemas on October 17, follows an Ivy League undergraduate student and professors whose academic lives are upended when Edebiri’s character accuses Garfield of assault.
The actors’ Venice Film Festival press conference for the film included an extended discussion of the film’s viewpoint on the #MeToo movement.