Ryan Coogler has finally unburdened his heart on the reason behind his 2016 rejection of an invitation to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In a poignant interview with the New York Times, the American filmmaker confessed that he declined the offer due to the inherent "stress" he finds in evaluating the quality of films.
"It's not a matter of animosity," clarified the director of Sinners. "And let's be real, I'm not exactly adept at making those kinds of judgments, bro." Ryan further elaborated, "The act of 'Hey, pick the best thing' is incredibly stressful for me, even when there's no pressure involved."
The Black Panther director went on to express his true passion lies in the day-to-day grind of filmmaking rather than the glamorous trappings of the entertainment industry. "People see the tuxedo and the red carpet, but it's the real blue-collar folks who make these movies happen," Ryan emphasized.
Echoing a similar sentiment in a previous interview with THR, Coogler reiterated his disbelief in judging films. "I don't subscribe to this versus that, or 'this movie wasn't good enough to make this list,'" he said at the time. "I love movies. ... For me, that's good enough."
He concluded by hinting at his preference for labor unions over these esteemed organizations, where they "figure out how to take care of each other's families and health insurance." Yet he acknowledged, "I know these things bring exposure."
