DiCaprio Gets Touchy With Reporters Over His Greeniness at Cannes
Filed under: Documentary, Celebrities and Controversy, Newsstand
Departed star Leonardo DiCaprio is getting a little touchy over claims that's he's a convenient environmentalist. Over at Cannes, the actor has screen his own eco-documentary, which he wrote, produced and narrated, called 11th Hour. Of course, as soon as someone tries to be a voice in anything, questions will come to check for hypocrisy. In this case, he was asked if he took a "fuel-guzzling" jet to the Festival. DiCaprio's response: "No, I took a train across the Atlantic." Snap! Apparently, a British journalist explained that many stars say they're environmentally conscious, and then use huge-emission private jets, to which he replied: "I try to travel commercial as much as I can."There is just something about the thought of Leo sitting next to a large, snoring man who begins to drool on him that amuses me to no end. I wonder, when can he not fly commercially? Is it a matter of whether they can wipe out the first-class section and let him sit there in peace with his entourage? DiCaprio says that the environmentally inconsistent are "all trying the best we can, truly, we really are." Now I understand wanting to better the environment, but still doing some environmentally-questionable practices -- it's a scale of means. However, it's completely valid to question whether he's doing enough.
Of course, part of the conversation turned toward Al Gore, and DiCaprio said: "This person is truly trying to relay a message to the public and the way he travels and the way he leads his life should not be splayed out like that." But shouldn't they, to some extent? We're a society testy about hypocrisy, and we like to try and fish out the genuine from those that are full of bull. Should Leo spew all that fuel from his private jet because he doesn't want fangirls molesting him and that old man drooling on him? I understand there are safety concerns, so where in the world is the Hollywood jet-setter airline? Get a saucy, decked-out plane that can take 50-100 stars from place to place instead of different jets for each person traveling somewhere. Maybe those green limo guys can look into it. Or, corral all the stars going to one area and say: "Hey, why don't we all go in one jet? It would be good for the environment, and just imagine the PR!"
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-21-2007 @ 4:10PM
Hobojoe said...
Ah, hypocrisy and Hollywood...
A few years ago, I was working at a Major Production Company headed by a well-known actor cum director/ producer who engages in a lot of philanthropic activities.
Well, for a particular PSA (public service announcement), one of the biggest actors in Hollywood, if not the biggest, agreed to participate. But of course, he had to be flown out on a private jet. The bill was something like $70,000, and this was before the price of gas had skyrocketed.
Yes, one could argue that Mr. Bigshot was working for free, and that possibly his participation might help get more attention for the cause.
Still, if someone can't put their own comfort past the cause, then they're just a shill. Their participation isn't genuine, and is probably more of a career move than an attempt to help. Hey, look, he's a caring, warm-blooded person!
Bah.
- HoboJoe
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5-21-2007 @ 3:05PM
ThePete said...
"We're a society testy about hypocrisy, and we like to try and fish out the genuine from those that are full of bull."
Is that why Bush got elected for a second term and has yet to see an impeachment trial? Puhlease--every one is picking on Leo and Al because they're easy targets. You can feel better about yourself by picking on people like them because it's an easy win and lives are not immediately at stake (no emotional change required, aside from your own increased smugness).
OK, so Leo takes a private plane when he needs to get to a set quickly and no commercial jet is available. Big deal. At least he means well and hasn't indirectly caused the death of thousands in doing so. Bush, on the other hand...
So, if we were so hip on nailing hypocrisy, why don't we go after the bigger, more-immediately life-threatening target in the form of the guy who ordered the Iraq invasion on faulty intel? Some even say false intel.
I know you're a blogger, but if there's anything we Americans don't give a crap about is hypocrisy. What we do care about is "nailing" someone in order to feel better about ourselves. Sometimes I think none of us really ever graduate from high school.
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