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 financial support for the poor and other Trump policies.
“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.”