Director Gavin Hood talks Orson Scott Card’s stance on gay marriage, ‘Ender’s Game’ themes and the boycott
The film adaptation of the iconic sci-fi novel Ender’s Game has been highly anticipated by fans, however talk of the film has found itself shrouded in controversial surrounding the book’s author Orson Scott Card and his pro-traditional marriage views.
In a new interview with The Advocate, Hood has opened up, trying to earn back some goodwill for his film.
“Orson wrote a book about compassion, and empathy, and yet he himself is struggling to see that his position in real life is really at odds with his art,” Hood remarks. He also says he understands the boycott, but hopes that critics can participate in a fuller discussion rather than just dismiss the film out of hand.
“I fully understand the position of those seeking a boycott. I really do,” says Hood. “However, let us have the conversation for what it is, which is that it’s so ironic that the themes and positions in the film are completely the opposite of what its author is now saying. I think that is a healthy and important discussion to have on those terms. I would far rather engage in a debate from an honest point of view, than have it suggest that audiences may stay away.”
The protest and boycott comes after Card’s history of speaking out against gay marriage and that traditional one man and one woman is better for children and society.
Hood actually goes on to say that Card’s stance is ironic compared to the tone of the novel.
“The story of Ender is really a young person in search of his identity and in search of his own moral compass,” Hood adds. “It is so ironic that the writer of the work that has helped so many [young] people, gay and straight, to find empowerment, to feel empowered, to find their own moral compass –it’s very sad that he, himself, is struggling with these issues.”
Check out the full interview here
Ender’s Game stars Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley Jr, Abigail Breslin, Voila Davis, Hailee Steinfeld with Asa Butterfield as Ender.
The film comes to theaters November 1, 2013.
