Tuesday evening’s screening of August was marred during the post-show Q&A when anI-can-only-assume-journalist sitting behind me decided to use the secondquestion to ask star Josh Hartnett for his reaction to the death of Heath Ledger. To its credit, the audience responded immediately with boos, jeers, and shoutsof "COME ON," and a festival volunteer approached the man,trying to get him to drop the subject. But he persisted, yelling over the crowduntil Hartnett had no choice but to take the microphone and quietly callLedger’s death a great loss to the movie industry. The actor then continued therest of the Q&A — which included at least one cry of "You werefantastic!" from the crowd — with an impressive level of professionalism,considering.
Walking out of the screening, I was struck by how sick and conflicted I hadbecome. Far be it from me to pass judgment on how another reporter does theirjob, as I cannot know the circumstances surrounding that individual’s decisionto ask a very private question in a very public forum. I can only hope hiscareer was on the line. Meanwhile, my heart goes out to the friends andcolleagues of Ledger who are still at Sundance tonight. Let’s hope peopleremember their humanity as the necessary work of covering his passing goes on.
why on earth is it inappropriate to ask hollywood actors about the tragic passing of one of their own? surely it is more insulting to go on with the festival as if nothing has happened beyond the slopes of Park City.
I totally agree with Whitney, it was totally inappropriate in the setting. I was there and it killed the whole vibe. Ledgers death is traggic, but Sundance isn’t hollywood, its about the moviemakers who come to share their work and for many its a pinnacle of a lifelong aspiration. I hated that dude for asking that question, it upset the people who took the time to come up and answer questions and it took away from the film fans that were in attendence.
I guess it’s impossible for us outside of the room to get a sense of the vibe inside — If there was a collective understanding that everyone wanted to focus on the movies, frustration with that interviewer makes sense. But since everyone on my college campus is talking about his passing, from my perspective it seems like the people who actually knew and worked with him would be talking about it too: mourning together, comforting each other, reminiscing, sending thoughts/prayers — and that interviews would be a good forum in which to do that.
i don’t get it. the news waranted a comment. wouldn’t josh hartnet skipped a press conference if he was distraught because the loss was affecting him too personally to speak? and he was free to just say “i prefer not to give a comment on that at this time, out of respect for his family” or somethin line that. i guess i don’t get it. RIP heath
I find it scary that people don’t understand why it is inappropriate to ask for a comment on Heath Ledger’s death. It’s a tragedy, not an opportunity to grab a sound bite. It’s nobody’s business how Josh Hartnett reacted to this man’s death, just like it’s nobody’s business in what state Heath was found when he died. How would you feel if a coworker died and someone came up to you during a big presentation of yours and said “How do you feel about this guy’s death!? I have a right to know!!” The coverage of this man’s untimely passing has already been ridiculous.
It’s a reasonable question if Josh knew Heath personally. Otherwise the question is a bit pointless but otherwise fair game.
I can’t stand it when entertainment reporters ask people what they think about the death of another celebrity. What really are they going to say? “It’s a tragic loss and I pray for their family” is what they say. All the time. Every time. Because that it all they really can say. Why ask the question when you know the answer? This reporter was hoping to be the one to break the news and get Josh Hartnett to emotionally break down. Trashy.
All these comments, about half of them, that say “I don’t see what was wrong, it sounds a normal question to me” just proves how much America has gotten to the leeches of the media industry. Not every reporter is this way, but there are some that will do anything to get their job, and people say, it’s all part of it.
The truth is, it isn’t. A good reporter has to set standards of respect. And regardless if Hartnett and Ledger were buddies, it’s still a personal question. The public, and most significantly in this place, does not have a right to know. The man has been dead for not even day. Give him SOME rest.
Here’s too his family and to his little girl. My heart goes out to them.
I’m not quite sure why he would ask Hartnett – did they work together – but I think it’s fair to get reactions from people who knew and worked with Ledger. Obviously, you want to do it in a classy way – not at a Q&A for a film – but it has to be done. This is a major news story.
Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman and others released statements through their spokespeople. By doing this I think it speaks postively on Ledger’s character, much more so than silence.
:::sigh::: It was in poor taste. But it was typical of the current media.
Such questions are not usually asked to get the typical answer, but just in case Hartnett might have had something that could have been particularly provocative, insightful, memorable or outrageous. That’s how some of the best locker-room postgame quotes come about. Obviously, everybody in movies feels sad about this loss. But please don’t trash the reporter for asking the question.
@Dave The Sundance Film Festival is not a locker room, and reaction to a death does not equate to a reaction to a fumbled ball. Just thought I’d let ya know.
I want to sincerely thank the editorial staff of EW for their incredible coverage of this major and very emotional event. Thank you for the lack of inappropriate speculation. EW’s regard for the intelligence of its readers is commendable. Mr. Ledger was an artist; thank you for remembering him as one.
All I can say is that I agree with Alex. 100% It’s disgusting to think that people still say and do the most inappropriate things at the worst possible times. They know what they’re doing!! They know how rude and insensitive they’re being! They just don’t care. Tell me…what does Ledger’s death have to do with the Film “August”????? No one said to go on with the festival as if nothing happened, but why, when asking an actor about his film, would you just throw that in there.
Many years ago, celebrities and politicians were treated with a little respect. Now, it’s a feeding frenzy to try and snap that inapproprate picture or egg them on to make an inapproprate remark. The media is out of control. I had hoped the death of Princess Diana would bring about some personal introspection on the part of the paparazzi and reporters, but even that event didn’t motivate them to change. What a pathetic way to make a living.