James Cameron looks back on a moment from the 2013 Golden Globes that, more than a decade later, still doesn’t sit well with him.
The Oscar-winning filmmaker has now publicly criticized an Amy Poehler joke made during the ceremony, calling it an “ignorant grave” that crossed the line into what was meant to be a celebration of cinema.
Speaking in a recent interview with New York TimesCameron talked about the joke Poehler delivered during her opening monologue while co-hosting the awards with Tina Fey.
At the time, Poehler referred to the controversy surrounding Zero Dark Thirty and its depiction of torture, saying: “When it comes to torture, I trust the lady who spent three years married to James Cameron.”
The comment drew an audible reaction from the audience, with cameras capturing Jessica Chastain’s shocked reaction.
Cameron, who was previously married to Zero Dark Thirty director Kathryn Bigelow said the remark went too far.
“Amy Poehler’s remark was an ignorant dig at an event that is supposed to be a celebration of cinema and filmmakers, not a roast,” he said.
While noting that he can usually take a joke, Cameron added: “I’m pretty thick-skinned and happy to be the butt of a good-natured joke, but it went too far. The fact that people found it funny shows exactly what they think of me, even if they have no idea who I am or how I work.”
The filmmaker also reflected on how Hollywood framed his relationship with Bigelow during the 2009-2010 awards season, when his Avatar competed directly with her films The Hurt Locker.
Bigelow eventually won the Academy Award for Best Director, and her film took home Best Picture. Cameron stressed that there was no bitterness on his part.
“I was the first one on my feet clapping,” he said, explaining that both he and Bigelow found the media narrative around them amusing at first but ultimately frustrating.
“It started to turn into a conversation that wasn’t about her movie, and it bothered us both.”
Cameron and Bigelow were married from 1989 to 1991 and shared a close professional history, including collaborations on Point Break and strange days.
Cameron has recently made headlines again for claiming he was denied proper screenwriting credit on Point Breaka claim to which the film’s credited writer later responded with praise for Cameron’s contribution.
In retrospect, Cameron’s comments suggest that the Golden Globes joke wasn’t just about humor, but about respect for filmmakers, their work and the moments that should honor them.
