January
21
Sundance Watch: John Anderson Pounds Jeff Dowd
Opinions fly at the Sundance Film Fest but so did fists Wednesday morning when critic John Anderson, who was covering the 8:30 screening of the agit-prop environmental doc Dirt! The Movie for Variety at the Holiday Cinemas, told producer's rep Jeff "The Dude" Dowd that the movie "was poor, too simplistic, too redundant," says Dowd, who accompanied him over to the nearby Yarrow. When they arrived, Anderson told him their conversation on the movie was "over." The debate that followed got so heated that Anderson punched Dowd twice, once on the lip. I've spoken to both guys, and to Variety chief critic Todd McCarthy, who immediately relieved Anderson of the assignment to review the film. The Yarrow management called the police, who took information from witnesses--Anderson had gone to another screening--but Dowd did not press assault charges.
Dowd is a big guy who is passionate about his opinions. Anderson is a film critic who wanted to be left to eat his breakfast in peace and lost his temper. Hitting is not OK. But Anderson says he was harassed. And Dowd doesn't disagree.
Anderson says he let Dowd "make his pitch" on the way over to the Yarrow. After his spiel, Anderson said, "So what?"
Dowd told him to listen to how the audience responded. "They're sheep," Anderson said. "You've got so much power," said Dowd. "Before you write this we should have more discussion."
"He was accusing me of not caring about the state of the world because I didn't like his film," Anderson says. When they arrived at the restaurant he said, "OK, this conversation is over." But Dowd wasn't letting up, says Anderson, who sat down with a friend at a table. Then Dowd pulled up a chair and "continues to make his sales pitch. He wouldn't go away, take no for an answer."
"I told you to get away from me," Anderson said. Dowd says he added, "'Throw this riff-raff out of here!'"
Anderson told Dowd to "fuck off and get out" and Dowd did leave, but returned ten minutes later with Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling (The Howard Stern Show) to speak on behalf of the film. Anderson had moved to a table for four and didn't recognize Martling, but wasn't having any of it anyway. Dowd "starts berating me," Anderson says. "He's a big intimidating guy hovering over the table. I got really pissed off."
Anderson said, "I told you to get away."
Martling said, "I just wanted to tell you..."
Anderson said, "Are you a friend of Jeff's? Can't you see I'm eating breakfast?" Dowd says Anderson got up and said, "I told you I would punch you." Anderson denies he threatened any punching.
Dowd kept talking and Anderson got up and walked four steps, says Dowd, clenched up and hit him in the shoulder, chest and chin, and then his lip. Anderson remembers pushing Dowd away and says he "popped his nose." What did his friends do, he asks, "to deserve him?"
Anderson seems not to have hit Dowd very hard. "I didn't want to hurt him," says Anderson. "This was nothing close to a fistfight." Dowd did not resist and there was no blood. Dowd is a big guy and he's fine. He wants to convene a panel with Anderson, journalists and the Dirt! filmmakers to talk about these issues. Dowd and Anderson have known each other for some 25 years, and Anderson interviewed him for his book, I Wake Up Screening.
Anyone who knows these two guys could see it coming. Dowd is a big genial fellow who feels strongly about the movies he's repping, who never gives up and gets into everyone's personal space. And Anderson is a tough critic who doesn't hesitate to speak his mind. He's a critic! Of course he should never hit anybody.
Anderson says he was "harassed" and the Yarrow should have thrown Dowd out of the restaurant. Dowd says "John is a great guy. He works out! Critics at Sundance are overwhelmed, they don't get much sleep. I wasn't yelling, I was trying to engage him. That's what democracy is about. It's not just old-school criticism when it's an issue-oriented film."
Finally, this blow-up could be just the thing to put Dowd's film on the map. "I'm not sure how good it is for publicity to harrass a film critic into liking his movie," says Anderson. "He's trying to make it a moral issue. It's business."
Here's Spoutblog, MCN and UPDATE: Mike Jones' commentary.
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What do you think of the movie? Is John right?
Posted by: David C | January 21, 2009 at 02:48 PM
Didn't I see that scene in "The Player?" :-)
You're right - hell of a combination: An in-your-face guy up against a guy with a short fuse.
Nice way to behave.
Vic
Posted by: ScreenRant.com | January 21, 2009 at 02:52 PM
JACKIE THE JOKEMAN was involved too? I can already hear that crazy weird cackle of a laugh of his drowning out the shouting
Posted by: Sergio | January 21, 2009 at 02:57 PM
how much bending around can you do to try to justify an assault? as a guy who suffered an assault I can tell you that there is never an excuse to hit anyone if you are older than ten years. Your story reads like you were there - but you weren't. Guy should be fired- but then with the realization that the world doesn't need critics anymore I'm sure he's headed that way. God what a sad loser he sounds.
Posted by: Don Murphy | January 21, 2009 at 03:21 PM
Dowd is not a big, genial fellow. He's a very big, often drunken, intimidating lout who I've seen involved in a fight in Cannes when he drunkenly wouldn't leave someone alone.
Posted by: Bingo | January 21, 2009 at 03:33 PM
What a joke Don, to reference what you went through:
"Susan and I suffered a similar attack Thurs night/Fri morn that left us in the emergency room for hours."
http://weblogs.variety.com/thompsononhollywood/2007/07/comic-con-lat-w.html
Don reminds people regularly, on different blogs, how much he hates film critics.
Posted by: T. Holly | January 21, 2009 at 04:07 PM
It's not ok to hit a movie critic, but if you do, make sure you get a good shot in. And make sure it's an actual critic...not a ..guy with press credentials passing for a critic...or something.
Posted by: Ramesh | January 21, 2009 at 04:15 PM
I did not see the movie
Posted by: Variety.com * | January 21, 2009 at 04:28 PM
Ramesh, Anderson isn't passing, is he?http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=bio&peopleID=2792
"You've got so much power," is the motivation behind the section Karina Longworth chose to crib from Anne's story too.
Posted by: T. Holly | January 21, 2009 at 04:29 PM
THolly you are a pompous moron with too much time and not enough sense who writes so elliptically you are unintelligble. I was referring to being attacked at Ago by a certain director a decade ago. Hitting someone is NEVER okay. And you are a fucking retard.
Posted by: Don Murphy | January 21, 2009 at 04:39 PM
T holly,
I know...just sayin'..
My point was, if youre going to punch a critic, do so for the art, not because you're in the mood for a punchup.
Having said that of course, all rules of civil society apply... most of the time, anyway.
Posted by: Ramesh | January 21, 2009 at 04:55 PM
Don Murphy:
Hitting someone is NEVER okay?
Well, fortunately I didn't adhere to that credo the day someone hit my girlfriend in a Baskin-Robbins (and yes I then beat that person like a rented mule). Would you have suggested I call the cops or have the 17-year-old ice cream scooper intercede instead of hitting that guy? --Andy
Posted by: andy | January 21, 2009 at 04:56 PM
That's funny, you understood me perfectly well. Did you ever get into whether you thought you had provoked Quentin Tarantino?
And if I didn't read the best blogs, I wouldn't know how much you hate critics.
Posted by: T. Holly | January 21, 2009 at 05:03 PM
HandyAndy
Call the cops. That is what I would have suggested. The moment the asshole hit your girl is was an assault and you could have him thrown away for years. The moment you hit him back it was a fight and I would guess nothing happened to him. Great move tiger.
Posted by: Don Murphy | January 21, 2009 at 05:05 PM
"... I was trying to engage him. That's what democracy is about."
No Dowd, democracy isn't forcing another person into a conversation they clearly don't want to have. That's more like fascism. You should have just left the man alone. I probably would have punched you as well for repeatedly invading my personal space, when you're obviously not wanted.
Posted by: THE OBENSON REPORT ON BLACK CINEMA | January 21, 2009 at 05:07 PM
THolly
Weird- the police and the courts didn't need to even think twice about whether he had been provoked- because it is ILLEGAL to hit somebody you stupid idiot.
[notice how idiot first thinks I am talking about being mugged two years ago and then when I point out I meant something else he says "of course I meant that"
weirdo]
Posted by: Don Murphy | January 21, 2009 at 05:10 PM
but youre probably just this...guy with a press pass...
Posted by: Ramesh | January 21, 2009 at 05:18 PM
addressed at mr obenson, in jest.
Posted by: Ramesh | January 21, 2009 at 05:23 PM
Don Murphy is a lover not a fighter...
Posted by: Mr. Milich | January 21, 2009 at 05:25 PM
The dude is an ass, but you should see the movie it's the first optimistic environmental doc! You leave the theater with hope and wanting to do your share.
Posted by: Nick | January 21, 2009 at 05:42 PM
But Nick, you're the audience and according to the Variety critic you're just a sheep- your opinion is not worth what his is.
Posted by: Don Murphy | January 21, 2009 at 05:44 PM
Don:
Oh, something happening to him all right. And it was rather satisfying.
Posted by: Andy Lipschultz | January 21, 2009 at 05:47 PM
I never said "of course I meant that," I had forgotten the other incident, and asked you if you ever publically addressed whether you thought you had provoked or harassed Tarantino (like Dowd has).
"Sheep," as in it's not an exit poll, it's art, like Ramesh is trying to say. And you should read some Andy, it'll make you simmer down.
Posted by: T. Holly | January 21, 2009 at 06:31 PM
Ok kiddos, debate until you are, well you know...I was at the PD when this went on, it took needed resources from a domestic violence situation. The Variety guy, oh yes, whatever his name is (can't remember, Jeff Anderson, John Dowd, Anderson Dowd? Snuggles?)could have called the Police before this all went down and saved us some much needed cop power.
Posted by: illegalbagel | January 21, 2009 at 06:35 PM
Does anyone know who T. Holly is? Sir, if you read this: you are my Troll of the Month. Have you really nothing to do besides spit out bile and paranoia in equal measure? I think you should check out Big Hollywood; you'd fit right in.
I wouldn't even mind if you were even mildly clever. But you're like the Simon Cowell of film blog commenters.
Posted by: vadim | January 21, 2009 at 07:07 PM
I totally expected that from you, knowing where you come from.
Posted by: T. Holly | January 21, 2009 at 07:21 PM
Erin O. writes a gorgeous comment here:
http://weblogs.variety.com/thompsononhollywood/2008/01/post-sundance-i.html
Let's get to the point: the bad behavior of the film rep desperate to strong arm a critic and the critic punching the rep is overhadowing the fact that the film itself is crap.
I was at a press and industry screening where about 70 percent of the audince walked out within the first 30 minutes. You can see better production value and better produced content on the Discovery Channel.
The director clearly doesn't realize the difference between a cinematic experience and a tutorial you show to fifth graders. What was with all the cutsie Learning Channel animation? The subject matter is really compelling...the film isn't.
It's a shame that two grown men have to put their reputations on the line for such a bad attempt at moviemaking.
Maybe "Dirt" should be re-named "Manure" but that title's already been taken.
Meanwhile, Dowd seems to be writing his own review. Is it really any wonder?
http://www.mcnblogs.com/sundance/2009/01/the_dudes_still_reaching_out_o.html
Posted by: T. Holly | January 21, 2009 at 08:46 PM
I know I should take it more seriously, but I'm imagining my old blue collar railroad buddies on the floor at the thought of two Hollywood types in a quasi brawl.
Posted by: mitkid | January 21, 2009 at 09:10 PM
your kidding right? let's call the Police because of a bad movie, cool, we get to be taste police, I'm in.
Posted by: illegalbagel | January 21, 2009 at 09:27 PM
And now the Dude has a publicist (a guy I used to think was smart) who is sending out press releases to the effect that in this new era of "yes we can" optimism "critics may have a new responsibility in encouraging people to see films with important messages in a serious time." Which I find more than a little creepy.
Stick to your guns, John.
Posted by: David C. | January 21, 2009 at 10:56 PM
maybe obama will rescue the film...by reviewing it or something.
Posted by: Ramesh | January 22, 2009 at 01:39 AM
It must be an awfully slow festival if this incident is making news.
Posted by: JoeBloggs | January 22, 2009 at 04:18 PM
It's the slowness that makes people desperate.
http://www.variety.com/blog/1390000339/post/50039605.html
What justifies Dowd’s behavior? He admits at the end of David Poland's video interview that he believed the review was going to be a pan. It's my opinion that Dowd felt he had nothing to lose and everything to gain by getting Anderson to hit him. It accomplished getting the review killed, and it accomplished Dowd getting to do his own spin. I won't offer when I think Dowd may have begun calculating this. But I will venture a guess that nobody is buying his spin, and if you think Dowd's behaviour was justified, I suggest you change calling him The Dude to Saint Dude, because what he did was so uncool, he can't be called The Dude anymore.
Posted by: T. Holly | January 22, 2009 at 07:49 PM
I'm not calling him "The Dude" from now ON, no. Unless, are you going to call him "The Dude" are you going to call him "The Dude"? With many thanks.
Posted by: illegalbagel | January 22, 2009 at 08:50 PM
Hey Dude, your movie sucks, this is the best review you'll ever get, remember to be a human being, and then you can start to make it better.
http://agnesvarnum.com/2009/01/20/sundance-09-dirt-the-movie/
Posted by: T. Holly | January 22, 2009 at 09:19 PM
sounds like a STUNT to me !
can you say PUBLICITY STUNT ?
what a bunch of horseshit !
can anyone out there actually prove to me that sundance is still relevant?
Posted by: frank borzage | January 23, 2009 at 07:55 AM
No, I don't think so because Artie Lange's replaced Jackie Martling on The Howard Stern Show.
http://www.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/music/entries/2009/01/11/the_saga_of_artie_lange.html
Posted by: T. Holly | January 23, 2009 at 09:52 AM
Dude that´s so Undude...
Posted by: stonepilot | January 23, 2009 at 10:21 AM
John
You have know idea how close to death you came. Jackie Martling is a trained Navy Seal Black Belt in Kung Fu. I’ve trained with Jackie and he took me down in six rounds; and I’m a 5th his age. Ps: Review my films and I’ll sucker punch The Dude for you at The Oscars.
Posted by: Luis Moro | January 23, 2009 at 05:14 PM
Honestly, stuff like this is why the rest of us don't take environmentalist seriously--or film critics for that matter.
Posted by: CppThis | January 23, 2009 at 05:18 PM
Honestly CppThis, there's nothing wrong with environmentalists or critics, even if Manohla Dargis is right, critics are the most hated people in the world, as she evidences with Steven Soderbergh's latest work in progress (which seems to me like a hotel pay per view follow-up hit to his film "Bubble," called "The Girlfriend Experience.")
There's not enough shutterbugging going on at Sundance, but this photo is called “The Dude” and the Dance
http://www.indiewire.com/ipop/photo/the_dude_and_the_dance/
I hope to see more Peter Debruge reviews at Spout. I believe that brings their total number of Sundance reviews to a whopping seven. Still no new "Dirt" though, just this (an appreciation for what could have been or something like that) over here:
http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/2009/01/earth_aromas.php
Posted by: T. Holly | January 24, 2009 at 11:27 AM
this aggression will not stand.
Posted by: pat w. | January 24, 2009 at 02:52 PM
Wells has written exactly the review the Dowd wanted, the one that gives a bad movie a pass because of its correct values. Apart from a couple of guys in New York, though, I can't think of many critics who are likely to adopt this approach. The good ones know that the sort term glow of hopping on a trendy cause is not worth the long term loss of credibility.
Posted by: David C. | January 24, 2009 at 03:46 PM
Sometimes You eat the Bear, and sometimes the bear,well he eat's You.
Posted by: The Stranger | January 25, 2009 at 03:21 PM
It appears that your movie sucks, and as a result you won't make very many clams or bones or whatever you people call them.
This is our concern, Dude.....
Posted by: Ritwingr | January 25, 2009 at 06:12 PM
Check out Roger Ebert's take on the Dowd/Anderson fight, complete with The Dude's video of his experience:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/01/dude_wheres_my_breakfast.html
Posted by: goldengirl17 | January 25, 2009 at 11:27 PM
No, here's the The Dude's video of his experience:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZUbAbo5uvY
I know I'd have felt very threatened if Dowd sat down at my table, whether he were speaking to me or I were a guest at the table or one nearby. Aren't restaurants supposed to throw people out who are harassing customers not twice, but thrice? Can't someone defend themselves and/or their guests if the restaurant doesn't?
The video in Ebert's piece comes from Movie City News. When David re-posted it last night, I mentioned:
You're enabling Dowd to do more harm to this movie than any bad review ever could, and that really makes me feel sorry for the filmmakers.
Maybe the movie works so badly that nobody wants to review it, but it seems like a really good book to me (so does the writer's book about the Oak Tree).
Agnes Varnum (btw, I like her Sundance round-up piece) opens her review of Dirt saying she doesn't normally write about movies she doesn't like, which can only mean she's making an exception for this one, because, well, read it for yourself.
http://agnesvarnum.com/2009/01/20/sundance-09-dirt-the-movie/
Posted by: T. Holly | January 26, 2009 at 07:42 AM
I offered the youtube video to someone as a scoop, since no one has put it up yet and the reply was, in part, "this is like Exhibit A for the permanent closure of YouTube."
I don't get why? A man explains how he threatened another man. And puts a website address at the end, not of the movie, but of Jackie Martlins joke site.
Posted by: T. Holly | January 26, 2009 at 08:47 AM
The story straight from the Dude:
http://thewrap.com/article/847
Posted by: Rebecca | January 26, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Intimidation is violence with or without fists. Add in the dude's history of getting sloppy drunk.
Posted by: Tim | January 26, 2009 at 11:17 AM