James Cameron has recently reflected on a joke from the 2013 Golden Globes that he found less than amusing, stemming from a comment made by Amy Poehler. During the awards ceremony, Poehler and Tina Fey made light of the portrayal of torture in Kathryn Bigelow’s film, Zero Dark Thirty. Poehler quipped, “When it comes to torture, I trust the lady who spent three years married to James Cameron,” positioning Cameron as the punchline.
In a candid interview with The New York Times, Cameron described Poehler’s joke as “an ignorant dig” at a celebration meant to honor cinema and filmmakers rather than serve as a roast. He stated, “I’m pretty thick-skinned, and happy to be the butt of a good-natured joke, but that went too far.” Cameron further expressed concern over how such comments shape public perception, remarking that the laughter from the audience reflects a misunderstanding of him and his work.
Cameron also touched on the competitive narrative Hollywood creates around filmmakers, referencing the 2009-2010 awards season when his film Avatar competed with Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker. While Bigelow took home the Oscar for Best Director and the film won Best Picture, Cameron made it a point to celebrate her achievement. “I was the first one on my feet applauding,” he recalled. He acknowledged the awkwardness surrounding their competition but appreciated the humor in it, emphasizing that the focus should remain on Bigelow’s talent rather than the rivalry.
Cameron and Bigelow were married from 1989 to 1991 and have collaborated on various projects, including executive producing Bigelow’s Point Break and co-writing Strange Days. Their shared history adds a personal layer to the narrative of artistic competition in Hollywood. Despite the often contentious nature of awards seasons, Cameron’s supportive stance highlights the camaraderie that can exist among filmmakers.