Director Richard Curtis is concerned about the lack of representation that exists in his film Really love. Despite the fact that it is one of the greatest Christmas classics, twenty years after its premiere it already shows some out-of-date features. No one assures it more than its own director who regrets that his film is perhaps a bit outdated for the times.
During a special to commemorate the film’s 20th anniversary, ABC spoke with the director (via). He there he questioned him about that thing that he would have done differently. So filmmaker Richard Curtis wasn’t shy about judging his own film in the light of modernity.
He assured that he regrets that in his Really love there is an obvious lack of representation. But he takes solace in the fact that times have changed. And that mistake committed by him, hopefully it will not also be made by the filmmakers of the future.
“The underrepresentation of the tape makes me feel uncomfortable and a little stupid, to tell the truth,” Curtis snapped. “I also think there are like 3 plot sections that tell the story of a boss and someone who works for them.”
Really love tells various stories of romance, mainly in the city of London. All of them converge in one way or another, without necessarily affecting the other. The movie is a Christmas hit. In addition to highlighting the values of love, friendship and understanding with others, the magic of the holidays is present at all times as the fuel that gives life to the actions of the characters.
However, what Curtis says is true. The dramas in the film are mostly white (with very few exceptions) and all the love relationships he portrays are strictly heterosexual. There is a lack of representation both racially and queer in Really love.
Curtis knows that in today’s light and first-time viewers, his film will no doubt be seen as “old” and somewhat outdated. But he hopes that his mistake will also be a lesson not only for him, but for the filmmakers to come. Who have in their hands a more open way of thinking and the power to represent all the people of the world.
“There are things I would change, but thank God society is changing,” Curtis continued. “So my film is bound, at times, to feel, you know, outdated.”
Despite its lack of representation, twenty years later Really love continues to be a crowd favorite. When actress Emma Thompson is asked why the film is still relevant among audiences, she opines that it is “Because I think we forget, over and over again, that love is all that matters.”
Luis Angel H. Mora My most stable relationship is with the movies, parties and music. I love writing about cinema, meeting new people and sharing ideas. Idealistic in every way, I guess that’s my Ascendant Aquarian trait.