Adam Drivercalled out Netflix and Amazon for not complying with Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) union demands, perVariety. The actor, alongside director Michael Mann and co-star Patrick Dempsey, are in attendance at the Venice Film Festival promoting the anticipated biographical dramaFerrarias a result of an interim agreement waiver from SAG-AFTRA. According to SAG-AFTRA, a waiver is granted after a production signs an interim agreement that “would largely be conformed to the AMPTP agreement on a going-forward basis once the membership ratifies successor agreements."
Ferrariis being distributed by two independent companies Neon (domestically) and STX International (globally). While speaking with press on Thursday night, Driver praised the distributors for getting on board with SAG-AFTRA’s demands, while shading much larger companies, like Netflix and Amazon, for failing to do the same.
“I’m very proud to be here to be a visual representation of a movie that’s not part of the AMPTP[Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers] and to promote the SAG leadership directive, which is an effective tactic, which is the interim agreement.” He continued: “The other objective is obviously to say, why is it that a smaller distribution company like Neon and STX International can meet the dream demands of what SAG is asking for — this is pre-negotiations — the dream version of SAG’s wishlist, but a big company like Netflix and Amazon can’t? Every time people from SAG go and support a movie that has met the terms of the interim agreement, it just makes it more obvious that these people are willing to support the people that they collaborate with, and the others are not.”
Mann added that he, Driver and Dempsey stand in solidarity with striking union members while at the Festival:
“Ferrari got made because the people who worked on Ferrari made it by forgoing large sectors of salaries, in the case of Adam and myself. It was not made by a big studio — no big studio wrote us a check. And that’s why we’re here, standing in solidarity.”
Ferrariis schedule to hit US theaters December 25 before arriving at UK theatres on December 26. The film stars Driver as Enzo Ferrari, the famed Italian carmaker, and Penélope Cruz as his wife Laura Ferrari. The cast is rounded out by Shailene Woodley, Jack O’Connell and Dempsey.
Related:The Biggest Misconceptions of the Ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA Strike (& Why You Should Care)
Netflix at the Venice Film Festival
Despite Netflix’s resistance to comply with SAG-AFTRA’s demands, the streamer will debut five films during the 80th edition of the Venice Film Festival: Pablo Larraín’sEl Conde, Wes Anderson’s shortThe Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, David Fincher’sThe Killer, J.A. Bayona’sSociety of the Snowand Bradley Cooper’sMaestro. Although Cooper could have attended the festival,as he directsMaestro, he opted to sit this one out.
The SAG-AFTRA strike commenced July 14, when union members joined the already striking Writers Guild of America members at the picket lines. Union members are asking for better working conditions, increased residuals and regulations on the usage of Artificial Intelligence. This marks the first dual strike in over 60 years. An extensive list of films and series have postponed production or delayed releases, including shows like1923, Abbott Elementary, Cobra Kai, EuphoriaandStranger Thingsand anticipated films includingBeetlejuice 2, Deadpool 3, ChallengersandDune: Part Two.
