Michael Winterbottom believes that depicting violence in movies is acceptable if it’s done ‘honestly’ and ‘seriously’.
Winterbottom is back in the director’s chair next month with his new movie The Killer Inside Me, which stars Casey Affleck and Kate Hudson.
The movie is an adaptation of Jim Thompson’s 1952 novel but has come under fire for its level of violence.
Despite its harrowing content Winterbottom defends the violence in the film as long it’s included with a legitimate reason.
Speaking to Total Film the director said: "Violence is a terrible thing but I think it’s a legitimate subject for films to deal with. And if you’re dealing with it I think you have to try to deal with it honestly and seriously.
"When I read the book I didn’t find the violence enjoyable or exciting or in some way sexy. It seemed to me it was about someone who was extremely emotionally disturbed and who destroys the people that get close to him. He wants to destroy himself.
"I don’t think it glamorises the violence. It doesn’t make you feel you want to be Lou Ford. It doesn’t make you feel it would be exciting to kill someone."
The Killer Inside Me is released 4th June.
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