Yesterday, HeyUGuys were amongst the lucky few to attend one of the most anticipated events of this year’s London Film Festival, a Screen Talk featuring legendary actor Robert De Niro.
Here to promote his starring role in Martin Scorsese’s upcoming film The Irishman, a Netflix production which is set to close the festival on Sunday, the actor spoke candidly (or as candidly as can be expected from the famously reserved actor), about a career spanning 6 decades.
From his early starring role as Johnny Boy is Mean Street to Taxi Driver and The Godfather Part II or more recently Joker, the Oscar winner shared his thoughts and experiences to the joy of an enthusiastic crowd of all ages who laughed, clapped and delighted at the mere thought of being under the same roof.
Broaching one of his favourite subjects at the moment, De Niro was the most animated as he spoke of his disdain for the current president whom he referred to as “a dirty player”. “It’s amazing to me that’s he’s getting away with it” said the actor, adding “he won’t get away with it forever, but he is getting away with saying these things about every institution”.
Speaking about what he sees as a capitulation on behalf of decent Republican politicians, the actor also added “It’s pretty disgusting that we’ve got Republicans who are just so afraid to do anything, so afraid to stand up, they could be stars in their own communities. They could go into private practice, make more money and stand up and still be very vocal against him, and I don’t know why they don’t do that”.
Elsewhere, the actor also spoke of his respect of actors who have followed in his footsteps, from Joaquin Phoenix to British actor Stephen Graham whom he starred alongside in The Irishman.
The Irishman will be closing the London Film Festival on Sunday October the 13th and will be on general release from November 8th and on Netflix from the 27th.
