Michael Douglas, the iconic actor and producer, made headlines at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival while presenting a newly restored print of Miloš Forman’s classic “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” During a press conference, Douglas expressed his concerns about the state of democracy in the United States under the Trump administration, stating that the nation is “flirting with autocracy.”
Douglas, an Oscar-winner known for his roles in films such as “Wall Street” and “Basic Instinct,” emphasized the importance of safeguarding democracy. “I look at it generally as the fact of how precious democracy is, of how vulnerable it is and how it always has to be protected,” he remarked. He further noted that politics in the U.S. seem to have shifted towards profit, with individuals entering the political arena to make money. “We maintained an ideal, an idealism in the U.S., which does not exist now,” he lamented.
Reflecting on a Cinematic Legacy
The screening of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” was a significant event, marking half a century since the film first played in Karlovy Vary. The film’s connection to the town and Forman’s homeland was celebrated, with Douglas joined by Saul Zaentz’s nephew, producer Paul Zaentz, and members of Forman’s family. The festival holds a special place in Douglas’s heart, as he reminisced about its early days and Forman’s commitment to his country.
“The festival was just beginning when we first came here,” Douglas recalled. “It was a new festival and Miloš felt it was important to his country to be at the festival. I remember we had a good time, it’s a charming, charming town.” The actor reflected on the 1976 Oscars, where Forman’s film triumphed over strong contenders like “Dog Day Afternoon” and “Jaws.”
“I ask you, in the last 20 years, has there ever been anywhere near that kind of quality of movies there?” Douglas questioned, highlighting the enduring impact of the film.
Future Projects and Adaptations
Paul Zaentz, who accompanied Douglas at the festival, discussed upcoming projects, including a series adaptation of Ken Kesey’s classic from the perspective of Chief Bromden. Zaentz expressed his reluctance to remake the original film but was enthusiastic about exploring new narratives within the story’s universe. “We just made an arrangement with Kesey’s family, to possibly do a television series,” he explained.
Zaentz is also working on an adaptation of an off-Broadway play, “Backyard Desert,” which follows U.S. border agents in Arizona as they encounter a dying Mexican immigrant. “They realize these are real people escaping terrible situations who deserve to be respected,” Zaentz said, underscoring the play’s timely themes.
Additionally, Zaentz is developing a TV adaptation of “The English Patient,” though he noted the current script is “too expensive for the streamers.” This adaptation aims to explore elements from the book that were not included in the film.
Douglas on Health and Retirement
While much of the discussion at the festival centered on Douglas’s illustrious career, the actor also opened up about his personal life and health challenges. Having battled stage 4 throat cancer, Douglas shared his experiences with chemotherapy and radiation, emphasizing the difficult choices he faced. “Stage 4 cancer is not a holiday, but there aren’t many choices, are there?” he reflected.
Douglas has not worked since 2022, choosing to step back after nearly six decades in the industry. “I have no real intentions of going back,” he admitted. However, he remains open to returning for a special project, stating, “I say I’m not retired because if something special came up, I’d go back, but otherwise, no.”
For now, Douglas is content to focus on his personal life, enjoying his role as a supportive partner to his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones. “In the spirit of maintaining a good marriage,” he joked, “I am happy to play the wife.”
As Douglas continues to navigate his post-acting life, his reflections on democracy, his career, and his personal journey offer a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of both his work and his words.
