Michael Douglas spoke out in opposition to the dangers of autocracy within the U.S. and touted the advantages of democracy throughout a press convention on the 59th version of the Karlovy Differ Worldwide Movie Competition (KVIFF) within the Czech Republic on Saturday.
The star got here to the picturesque Czech spa city to current a screening of a newly restored model of Czech-American directing legend Miloš Forman’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, on which Douglas was a producer and which starred Jack Nicholson. “The 1975 basic, which swept the Oscars and earned dozens of worldwide awards, celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this 12 months,” the pageant highlighted. As one of many producers, Douglas additionally obtained the Academy Award for greatest image for the film.
Douglas met the press after earlier within the day receiving a shock award statuette from the pageant. He referred to as Forman’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest “timeless.” That led a journalist to say that the film is seen as one about revolt, asking Douglas in regards to the present state of politics within the U.S.
“I believe our president’s title has been talked about sufficient over the brief time that he’s been president,” the star replied, highlighting “how valuable democracy is, how susceptible it’s, and the way it at all times needs to be protected.”
His tackle right now’s state of U.S. politics? “Our nation is flirting with autocracy, [like] another democracies on this world,” Douglas stated. “And I hope that … what we’re fighting proper now’s a reminder for all the laborious work that the Czech did when it comes to gaining their freedom and their independence and … [that] at all times, democracy is to not be taken without any consideration. I believe it reminds us that all of us have to make our efforts. It’s not the job of anyone else.”
Douglas additionally mentioned the function of cash in politics. “The disappointing factor is that politics now appears to be for revenue. Cash has entered democracy, not simply in our nation, however in others, as a method of a revenue middle. Persons are going into politics now to earn cash, and we preserve an idealism within the U.S. which doesn’t exist now.”
Douglas concluded, “I discover myself frightened, I’m nervous, and I simply suppose it’s all of our duty, not for anyone else to look out for us, however for us to look out for ourselves.”
The star was additionally requested on Saturday whether or not he was engaged on new tasks or thought of himself retired. “I’ve not labored since 2022, purposely, as a result of I spotted I needed to cease,” Douglas shared with the reporters within the room. “I’ve been working … for nearly 60 years, and I didn’t need to be a type of individuals who dropped useless on set. So I’m very proud of you taking your break day. I’ve no actual intention of going again. I say I’m not retired, as a result of [if] one thing particular got here up, I’d return. However in any other case, I’m fairly completely satisfied to observe my spouse work. Douglas is married to Catherine Zeta-Jones.
“Catherine is 25 years youthful than I’m. She’s very busy proper now,” he additionally shared later. “And I believe within the spirit of sustaining marriage, I’m completely satisfied to play the spouse.” At one level, he additionally talked about one potential challenge that had piqued his curiosity. “I had one little unbiased film that I’m attempting to get script out of, however that’s about it,” Douglas stated with out sharing extra particulars.
Douglas additionally shared some tales from Cuckoo’s Nest, together with ones about Nicholson. “Jack didn’t need to come to the Oscars. He had already misplaced twice,” he stated. The movie crew didn’t win the primary 4 potential Oscar award classes, and so the star rotated and advised Douglas, “Instructed you so!” However then the screenplay and director Oscars got here in and turned issues round, Douglas recalled, additionally sharing that Nicholson used to name him “Mikey D.”
Douglas shared that he’s nonetheless in contact with Nicholson. “He’s in good well being,” he shared. “He’s a little bit of a hermit. … He’s doing effectively.”
Cuckoo’s Nest made Oscar historical past as solely the second film to win all 5 main Academy Award classes: greatest image (Douglas and Zaentz), greatest director (Forman), greatest actor (Jack Nicholson), greatest actress (Louise Fletcher), and greatest tailored screenplay (Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman).
The brand new model, restored by the Academy Movie Archive, screened as a part of KVIFF’s “Out of the Previous” part in a particular gala. The legend was joined there by fellow producer Paul Zaentz, nephew of the late Saul Zaentz, who co-produced the movie, in addition to members of Forman’s household.
Tailored from Ken Kesey’s novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest facilities on Randle McMurphy, a rebellious gambler whose defiance of authority challenges the inflexible system of a psychological establishment.
Douglas final attended KVIFF in 1998, when he and Saul Zaentz had been honored with the pageant’s Crystal Globe. Douglas is one among a number of large names attending the 2025 version of the Karlovy Differ fest, which has lengthy been a magnet for Hollywood stars.