Jim Jarmusch says he was “disappointed and disconcerted” by the funding Mubi, distributor of his modern film Father Mother Sister Brother, is re
Jim Jarmusch says he was “disappointed and disconcerted” by the funding Mubi, distributor of his modern film Father Mother Sister Brother, is receiving from Sequoia Capital, the investment firm which also backs an Israeli defence technology firm.
“I have spoken to Mubi about it,” said Jarmusch in response to a question from Screen about his views on the topic. “I have a very good relationship with Jason Ropell at Mubi particularly. He called me immediately.
“He had not been aware when this relationship was made. My relationship with Mubi started much before that. And they were fantastic to work with on this film.
“I was of course disappointed and quite disconcerted by this relationship, and I think if you want to discuss it you have to address Mubi about it,” said Jarmusch. “I am not the spokesman.”
“Yes, I was concerned. I also have a distribution agreement with Mubi for certain territories which I had also entered into before my knowledge of this,” continued Jarmusch. “But having said that, on a personal level, I am an independent filmmaker and I have taken money from various sources to be able to realise my films. And I consider pretty much all corporate money is sullied money. And if you start analysing each of these film companies and their financing structures you are going to find a lot of nasty dirt. So it is all there.
“We could avoid it and not make films at all. But the films are what I chose to carry things I would like to say. So yes, I am concerned but one thing I don’t like – and you have not done this [addressed to Screen] – is putting the onus of the explanation of this on the artists. It is Mubi you must address. But not just Mubi, other companies as well.”
Indya Moore, cast member in Father Mother Sister Brother, then gave a detailed analysis of the current pressure on artists to speak about political topics.
Efe Cakarel, Mubi CEO, wrote an open letter earlier this month on the topic in which he said accusations that Mubi is complicit in events in Gaza are “fundamentally at odds with the values we hold as individuals and as a company.”
More to follow.
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