The Austrian newspaper Kurier would soon find itself in a fraught position. This is on the heels of their releasing an exclusive Q&A with famed auteur filmmaker Clint Eastwood last Friday. US-based Austrian journalist Elisabeth Sereda led that far-reaching interview, which captured the world’s attention over the weekend. In it, Eastwood served up some of the most damaging critiques of Hollywood’s present-day fixation with remakes and franchises.
In the Q&A, Eastwood expressed nostalgia for a bygone era of filmmaking, stating, “I long for the good old days when screenwriters wrote films like Casablanca in small bungalows on the studio lot. When everyone had a new idea.” He elaborated on his philosophy, asserting, “My philosophy is: do something new or stay at home.” That interview’s legitimacy has since been called into question.
Kurier’s editor Martin Gebhart defended the publication’s handling of the piece, asserting that Sereda had “convincingly explained” her history with Eastwood, claiming she had engaged with him 18 times at round tables. Even with this defense, though, on Monday, notwithstanding this suggestion otherwise, Eastwood released a statement denying any association with the interview.
“I thought I would set the record straight. I can confirm I’ve turned 95. I can also confirm that I never gave an interview to an Austrian publication called Kurier, or any other writer in recent weeks, and that the interview is entirely phoney.” – Clint Eastwood
In light of Eastwood’s denial, Gebhart acknowledged that the presentation of material from multiple interactions with the actor as a singular exclusive interview did not align with Kurier’s “quality standards.” He said that the newspaper stood behind its quotes. That didn’t mean, he emphasized, that transparency and a rigorous commitment to editorial independence weren’t critical.
Sereda has led bylined interviews with other big names in Hollywood like Pamela Anderson and Sarah Jessica Parker. Unfortunately for her, she now has to deal with the professional fallout from this encounter. In addition, in comments to The Hollywood Reporter, representatives for actor Jude Law confirmed that he had indeed not taken part in any interviews with Sereda.