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Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Producer Paul Zaentz Bashes Trump as 'Malignant Narcissist, Wannabe Dictator' and His Bill Targeting People in Need
Producer Paul Zaentz, nephew of the late Saul Zaentz, who co-produced with Michael Douglas the Oscar-winning Miloš Forman drama One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump during an appearance at the 59th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) in the Czech Republic on Saturday. Appearing before a screening of a newly restored version of the 1975 classic, which became only the second movie to win all five major Academy Award categories – best picture (Douglas and Zaentz), best director (Forman), best actor (Jack Nicholson), best actress (Louise Fletcher), and best adapted screenplay (Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman), Zaentz called Cuckoo's Nest 'a movie about rebellion' and bashed a bill cutting financial support for the poor and other Trump policies. More from The Hollywood Reporter Jodie Whittaker, Jason Watkins Added to BBC Cast for Dear England Vicky Krieps on Jim Jarmusch, Choosing "to Not Prepare" for Roles, Ditching Her Phone for a Year First Czech-Viet Feature 'Summer School, 2001' and Anime Series: Duzan Duong Is Everywhere at KVIFF 'It's ironic that … Cuckoo's Nest has been honored here on its 50th anniversary, and I am afraid that Ken Kesey's brilliant book may be banned in the USA,' he said in comments made a few minutes before Douglas appeared on stage to a huge ovation. Zaentz continued: 'Yesterday, July 4, the malignant narcissist, wannabe dictator that occupies the White House signed a bill that was passed by his cruel, heartless followers to make the rich richer and take food and health care away from the people who need it – a very sad July 4 for the USA.' The remark drew applause from the jam-packed auditorium at the Czech festival. The producer concluded by asking people outside the U.S. for patience. 'Don't give up on America,' Zaentz said. 'We shall overcome the totally corrupt, morally bankrupt, treasonous, evil thing and his cronies and minions. I am certain that Miloš would agree with me that Trump is a stain on my country, and his presidency will be looked upon as the greatest moral failure in the history of the United States.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter The 40 Best Films About the Immigrant Experience Wes Anderson's Movies Ranked From Worst to Best 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest set for TV spinoff
The Oscar-winning movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, starring Jack Nicholson, is looking likely to get the TV treatment. Producer Paul Zaentz, nephew of original producer Saul Zaentz, mentioned plans for a series during a press conference at the 59th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF). He travelled with Cuckoo's Nest producer and Hollywood legend Michael Douglas to the Czech town to present a newly restored version of the 1975 classic as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and he had some exciting news to share. "We just made an arrangement with Ken Kesey's family to possibly do a television series, but it's based on the book, and the book was told through the eyes of Chief Bromden," Zaentz told reporters. "So the television series would be through his eyes." Bromden is the tall, deaf-mute Native American portrayed in the movie by Will Sampson. Zaentz went on to detail how he envisioned the story unfolding. "At the end of the first series, RP McMurphy, the Jack Nicholson, character would die. And then the second year would be what happens to the Chief after he escapes." The movie was based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Ken Kesey about a new patient, played by Nicholson, at a mental institution. "Over the past 50 years, there have been hundreds of calls from studios, directors and producers who want to remake the movie, and we would never allow it to be remade if they were just going to do it as Milos (Forman, director) made it," Zaentz shared. "It would be a dishonour."
