In my years as an actor, I often saw young white male filmmakers even putting on false eccentricity and temper, as though that would make them more credible as an artist. It’s so pervasive, this idea that genius can’t come without trouble, that it has paved the way for countless abuses. As an adult, I find myself wholly intolerant of the fetishization of this archetype of genius, having seen, first-hand, great works made by decent, conscientious people, and having witnessed sharp impatience with female or BIPOC filmmakers who show any similar signs of irresponsibility.
