Jane Campion

Jane Campion has "challenged" Sam Elliott to a "shootout" over his "Power of the Dog" comments.

In a far gentler rebuttal last week, Benedict Cumberbatch dubbed the “Ghost Rider” actor’s remarks “very odd.” Campion found “The Big Lebowski” actor’s comments on her New Zealand background hypocritical given the popularity of spaghetti Westerns in the US, explaining: “You know, like, if you think about Sergio Leone movies, where were they shot? “We’re dealing in a fictional world, we’re dealing in a mythic universe.”

UPDATE—Tuesday, March 15: Director Jane Campion has issued an apology to Venus and Serena Williams after criticism that her comments at the Critics Choice ...

Serena and Venus, I apologize and completely celebrate you.” I love Serena and Venus. Their accomplishments are titanic and inspiring. “I did not intend to devalue these two legendary Black women and world class athletes.”

Jane Campion addressed Sam Elliott's comments about her film while speaking with awards analyst Scott Feinberg on THR's Awards Chatter podcast.

Cumberbatch — who is nominated for an Oscar for his role in the film — alluded to Elliott’s comments during a recent BAFTA Film Sessions panel. So I think to deconstruct that through Phil, to look at that, it’s not a history lesson.” The West is a myth, it doesn’t exist — Annie Proulx said that — and there’s a lot of room on the range to explore that myth. In recent days, Power of the Dog stars Cumberbatch and Jesse Plemons have also given their take on Elliott’s criticism. Elliott’s criticism extended to Campion, whom he called a “brilliant director,” but questioned “what a woman from New Zealand would know about the American West.” Elliott also questioned why the film was shot in New Zealand but set in Montana, and presented like “this is the way it was.” He continued, “That fucking rubbed me the wrong way, pal. The myth is that they were these macho men out there with the cattle.

Film-maker says of actor: 'I'm sorry, he was being a little bit of a B-I-T-C-H'

“The myth is that they were these macho men out there with the cattle. There were all these allusions to homosexuality throughout the fucking movie.” The evisceration of the American west? “Fuck no,” Elliott said. I think it’s a little bit sexist.” She said: “I’m sorry, he was being a little bit of a B-I-T-C-H. I’m sorry to say it but he’s not a cowboy, he’s an actor.

The "Power of the Dog" director was apologizing for remarks made in her Sunday evening acceptance speech for best director at the Critics' Choice Awards.

"The fact is the Williams sisters have, actually, squared off against men on the court (and off), and they have both raised the bar and opened doors for what is possible for women in this world. The last thing I would ever want to do is minimize remarkable women." I did not intend to devalue these two legendary Black women and world class athletes," Campion said on Monday in a statement, according to media reports.

In an acceptance speech at the Critics Choice Awards, the “Power of the Dog” filmmaker wrongly suggested that the tennis greats didn't compete against men ...

However, you do not play against the guys — like I have to.” I’d also just like to give my love out to my fellow — the guys. You’re absolutely brilliant,” she said, referring to the winner of the #SeeHer Award.