Harvey Weinstein is no stranger to violence on film since he’s produced all of Quentin Tarantino‘s movies, but after the tragic Dark Knight Rises shooting, the movie mogul is the first to admit it’s time to talk about it.
While speaking with sources about a host of issues, Weinstein admitted that he wrestles with the use of violence in productions he is involved with, saying:
“It├óΓé¼Γäós a question that I wrestle with all the time. I├óΓé¼Γäóve been involved with violent movies, and then I├óΓé¼Γäóve also said at a certain point, ├óΓé¼╦£I can├óΓé¼Γäót take it anymore. Please cut it.├óΓé¼Γäó You know, you├óΓé¼Γäóve got to respect the filmmaker, and it├óΓé¼Γäós a really tough issue. My heart goes out to those kids and those families.”
With James Holmes referring to himself as the Joker, the producer of Django Unchained is starting to think about the ramifications of presenting so much violence to the American population. Whatever issue there may or may not be, Weinstein still thinks Hollywood should get together to talk about and said:
“I think, as filmmakers, we should sit down ├óΓé¼ΓÇ£ the Marty Scorseses, the Quentin Tarantinos, and hopefully all of us who deal in violence in movies ├óΓé¼ΓÇ£ and discuss our role in that.”
Although he is not afraid to point a finger at himself, he’s also a strong supporter of stricter gun control laws. Calling for political leaders to “put up or shut up” about the issue, Weinstein continued:
“If we don├óΓé¼Γäót get gun-control laws in this country, we are full of beans. To have the National Rifle Association rule the United States of America is pathetic. And I agree with Mayor Michael Bloomberg: it├óΓé¼Γäós time to put up or shut up about gun control for both parties. Mitt Romney better outline where he stands, and people know that I├óΓé¼Γäóm a firm supporter of the president and I believe he├óΓé¼Γäós got to do the same.”
We’re not sure who is really to blame for the horrific shooting other than the man who pulled the trigger, but we’re glad to see that this Hollywood veteran isn’t afraid to discuss the problem to think of solutions.
[Image via WENN.]