Casey Affleck Recalls Traumatic Oscars Night, Praises Nolan

Casey Affleck described his experience at the 2017 Academy Awards, where he won Best Actor for his role in "Manchester by the Sea," as "traumatic" during an onstage interview at the Zurich Film Festival on Monday. Affleck, who has been largely absent from the public eye since the win, elaborated on the discomfort he felt during the ceremony, stating that the attention and the subsequent events were overwhelming. He recalled the experience as a "traumatic" one, though he did not provide specific details about what made it so.

During the conversation, Affleck also spoke about his collaboration with director Christopher Nolan, with whom he worked on the 2014 film "Interstellar." He shared an anecdote about attempting to discuss Nolan's film "Tenet" with the director, which he admitted might have been a "mistake." Affleck recounted a moment where he was driving with his son and they were discussing "Tenet," leading to a disagreement. He then decided to call Nolan, but implied that the conversation did not go as smoothly as he had hoped, suggesting that unsolicited directorial advice or discussion might not be well-received by Nolan.

Affleck also touched upon his directorial ambitions, specifically mentioning his 2010 film "I'm Still Here," which he directed and starred in. He indicated that he is not finished with his directorial work and has plans to revisit and revise "I'm Still Here." Affleck stated, "There are things I want to change" about the film, suggesting a desire to re-edit or re-contextualize aspects of the mockumentary. The film, which documented the alleged breakdown and career change of actor Joaquin Phoenix, was known for its controversial and experimental approach. Affleck's comments suggest a potential for a director's cut or a re-release with altered content, reflecting his ongoing artistic engagement with his past projects.

The interview provided a rare glimpse into Affleck's reflections on his career highs and lows, including the intense scrutiny that accompanied his Oscar win and his evolving perspective on his directorial endeavors. His candid remarks about the "traumatic" nature of the Oscars night and his desire to refine "I'm Still Here" offer insight into his current artistic mindset and his relationship with his own filmography.