Zack Snyder’s latest film, The Last Photograph, received harsh reviews following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Responding to the backlash, the 60-year-old filmmaker pointed to the similar response his 2006 film 300 received.
Zack Snyder uses 300 to push back against critics who have labeled him a fascist
In a recent conversation with Variety, the director said, “There were only 1,200 people in the theater, and there are thousands of comments! There was one I was reading where it was a guy who clipped it and said, ‘I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m sure it was horrible.'”
“Whether you like the movie or not, I’m not even commenting on that; but with me, it’s more clickable to say, ‘I hate Zack Snyder! He’s a fascist!’ than it is to say, ‘I saw the movie, and it was cool.’ Nobody gives a fuck about that. And obviously, I’m not a fascist,” he added.
The film has drawn accusations of being racist and misogynistic. The criticism has also led to renewed online discussions about Snyder’s perceived political and ideological views. However, the filmmaker pushed back against the accusations by citing 300. He recalled that the “exact same thing happened” when the film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival.
He said, “There was immediate discourse around the movie, and everyone booed and walked out. It was our first time showing the movie, and we were like, ‘What the fuck.’ They were saying it was ‘a disaster,’ ‘the worst movie ever,’ and a ‘fascist’ movie.” However, he feels, “300 is one of the gayest movies ever made.” The director, who is also best known for DC superhero films like Man of Steel and Justice League, said, “I always go, ‘Look, there are few movies where people come in straight and come out gay, and 300 is one of them.’”
Snyder’s The Last Photograph made its world premiere at TIFF on September 13. However, the film does not yet have an official worldwide or general theatrical release date. The film features Rebel Moon actors Stuart Martin and Fra Fee.
