Benedict Cumberbatch: My ‘The Power Of The Dog’ Character “Represents Anyone Who Hasn’t Been Seen Or Heard Or Understood”

“The Power of the Dog” has been the talk of Tinseltown ever since it debuted last fall, but to the masses it may still be something of an enigma. It’s the first film from Oscar-winning “The Piano” and “Bright Star” filmmaker Jane Campion in over a decade, and boasts Oscar-nominated performances from the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee.With the film poised to be a major presence at Sundays Oscars, you may be wondering what it’s about and where to watch it.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefWhether or not “The Power of the Dog” wins the big prize at the Academy Awards on Sunday, David Strong, chief executive of the New Zealand Film Commission for the past eight months, is guaranteed to be an in-demand visitor to Los Angeles over the next week.With the Jane Campion-directed film handily showcasing New Zealand’s talent, locations and craft strengths, the country has now reopened its borders to international visitors. Also sweetening the deal are more studio spaces.Ahead of Strong’s flight to Los Angeles, where he has a week of meetings set up with Hollywood decision makers, he spoke to Variety about what New Zealand has to offer going forward.What has been the impact of “The Power of the Dog” and its Oscar nominations? It’s already been a big success story for us.

MORE: Rebel Wilson pokes fun at Prince Harry and Meghan's Oprah interviewIn her speech, she poked fun at her affections for the British actor, during which a Benedict-shaped cake was brought out on stage.WATCH: Rebel Wilson addresses weight loss in candid BAFTA monologueAs it was wheeled out, Rebel said: " Oh sorry hang on… that's just my personal cake, guys this is a cake of Benedict Cumberbatch because I like, really love him, that was supposed to be for me for later, for reasons we won't go into.READ: Rebel Wilson pokes fun at Prince Harry and Meghan's Oprah interviewMORE: Rebel Wilson addresses weight loss in candid BAFTA opening monologue"Benedict, I made it because I know you're a vegan… ok but seriously guys if anybody is hungry and they want a piece of cake, they can come up and… does anyone want a cheekbone, or a piece of nose, no one?A post shared by Rebel Wilson (@rebelwilson)Rebel and Benedict looking close on Instagram "They'll be having it soon because they'll be hungry and stuff, taste the BAFTAs they said, it'll be a piece of cake!"Although the British actor appeared in good spirits, although slightly red-faced at the shout-out, the awkwardness appeared to subside as the pair shared two stunning snaps together on Wednesday. Rebel looked stunning on the red carpet at the BAFTAsTaking to her Instagram Rebel captioned the photos: "The most excellent: Cumberbatch (who plays a 1920’s cowboy…in my dreams last night jk) in THE POWER OF THE DOG and @troykotsur who melts your heart in CODA! Well done fellas!"Fans were quick to comment on the reunion and couldn't help sharing how good the pair look together.

swatting down the actor’s “sexist” criticism of her 12-time Oscar-nominated flick, the auteur isn’t backing down, challenging him to a mock “shootout.”The best director Oscar nominee threw down the gauntlet during a Friday appearance on The Hollywood Reporter’s “Awards Chatter Podcast.”“Okay, Sam, let’s meet down at the Warner Brothers lot for a shootout!” Campion, 67, told host Scott Feinberg. “I’m bringing Doctor Strange [the iconic Marvel character portrayed in films by Benedict Cumberbatch, who also starred in “Dog”] with me!”She was responding to the 77-year-old Western icon’s inflammatory appearance on Marc Maron’s “WTF Podcast” two weeks ago, in which he’d labelled her opus a “piece of s–t.” The “Tombstone” star also compared the characters to Chippendales dancers “who wear bowties and not much else.”During his bizarre tirade, the “Roadhouse” star had singled out Campion, claiming that despite being a “brilliant director,” the New Zealand-born auteur was unfit to direct a Western set in Montana in the early 20th century.“I love her previous work, but what the f – – k does this woman from down there, New Zealand, know about the American West?” Elliott ranted, further slamming her decision to film the Western in her motherland.The comments didn’t sit well with Campion, who criticized Elliott’s cowboy credentials in the THR interview.

director Jane Campion didn’t mince her words while addressing the 77-year-old Western icon’s “sexist” criticism of her 12-time Oscar-nominated flick last week. The 2022 best director Oscar nominee gave her rebuttal during an interview with Variety at the Directors Guild of America Awards on Saturday night.“I’m sorry, he was being a little bit of a B-I-T-C-H,” Campion, 67, told the magazine before the ceremony.

The Power Of The Dog, labelling him “sexist”.Last month, the A Star Is Born actor took aim at the “allusions to homosexuality” in the Netflix film, as well as an LA Times article that talked about the “evisceration of the American myth”, and called the film “a piece of shit”.The Western film follows Benedict Cumberbatch’s character, a sexually repressed ranch owner, and his fraught relationship with his brother (Jesse Plemons), his brother’s new wife (Kirsten Dunst) and her son (Kodi Smit-McPhee).During Elliott’s interview on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast, the host noted that homosexuality is “what the movie’s about”, the actor going on to call Campion “a brilliant director”.However, Elliott then added: “What the fuck does this woman from down there [New Zealand] know about the American west? Why the fuck did she shoot this movie in New Zealand and call it Montana? And say this is the way it was? That fucking rubbed me the wrong way.”Responding to Elliott’s criticism, Campion told Variety: “I’m sorry, he was being a little bit of a B-I-T-C-H. He’s not a cowboy; he’s an actor.

Rebel Wilson left Benedict Cumberbatch red-faced at the 2022 EE BAFTAs with an X-rated joke during the star-studded ceremony. The 42 year old Australian host, who wowed on the red carpet as she showcased her small waist, left The Power of Dog actor Benedict, 45, cringing at the glittering awards ceremony held at London's Royal Albert Hall. Rebel, who donned a stunning floor-length red dress, unveiled a 'BAFTA cake' which she revealed was 'a cake of Benedict Cumberbatch'.

as the British Academy Film Awards returned Sunday with a live, black-tie ceremony after a pandemic-curtailed event in 2021.Jane Campion was named best director for “The Power of the Dog,” only the third woman to win the prize in the awards’ 75-year history.Lead acting trophies went to Hollywood star Will Smith and British performer Joanna Scanlan, as an event that has worked to overcome a historic lack of diversity recognized a wide range of talents — including the first deaf acting winner in Troy Kotsur for “CODA.”Last year’s awards ceremony was largely conducted online, with only the hosts and presenters appearing in person.

After Sam Elliott made headlines over his controversial comments about the Oscar-nominated The Power of the Dog, the film’s creative team swiftly came to the project’s defense.

The Power Of The Dog.Earlier this month Elliott made a dig at the “allusions of homosexuality” in Jane Campion’s Oscar-nominated film. He compared the film’s characters to Chippendales dancers who “wear bowties and not much else”.But when Marc Maron, whom Elliott was speaking to on the WTF podcast, noted that homosexuality is “what the movie’s about” (Benedict Cumberbatch portrays Phil, a sexually repressed ranch owner), Elliott criticised Campion’s interpretation of the American west.Describing her as “a brilliant director” before making his point about the “piece of shit” film, Elliott said: “What the fuck does this women from down there [New Zealand] know about the American west? Why the fuck did she shoot this movie in New Zealand and call it Montana? And say this is the way it was? That fucking rubbed me the wrong way.”Now, Smit-McPhee, who portrays young aspiring medic Peter in the film – and who is the suggested love interest of Phil – has reacted to Elliott’s comments.The Australian actor told Variety that he has “nothing” to say about Elliott’s digs “because I’m a mature being and I’m passionate about what I do, and I don’t really give energy to anything outside of that.“Good luck to him,” he added in the on-camera interview.Kodi Smit-McPhee's response to Sam Elliott's criticism of #ThePowerOfTheDog? "Nothing.

The star of “The Power of the Dog” isn’t sweating the criticism.

Vanity Fair profile published Monday where she discussed her past trauma.She revealed that when she won her coveted golden trophy, she was pregnant again with her daughter Alice, now 27.“I just couldn’t do anything; I was stunned by the grief experience, and I just couldn’t work,” she said about the loss of her baby boy.“It’s the most humanizing experience I’ve had,” Campion added. “You feel solidarity with everybody else that’s expressing grief.

Benedict Cumberbatch is coming to the defense of the LGBTQ+ community after Sam Elliott shared some seriously bigoted comments about the Oscar-nominated film The Power Of The Dog.

Defending his art. Benedict Cumberbatch is taking ownership over his work in The Power of the Dog after Sam Elliott criticized the film’s “allusions of homosexuality.”

BAFTA Film Sessions event — was referring to Elliott’s controversial appearance on Marc Maron’s “WTF Podcast” last week, in which he’d called “Dog” a “piece of s–t” and compared the characters to Chippendales dancers “who wear bowties and not much else.”“That’s what all these f – – king cowboys in that movie looked like,” Elliott ranted. “They’re all running around in chaps and no shirts.

Sam Elliott recently finished the first season of his hit Paramount+ series, “1883,” the first spinoff of the uber-popular “Yellowstone.” And in the aforementioned series, Elliott continues his career-spanning work portraying super masculine guys. In the case of “1883,” he’s, once again, a cowboy, as well, with his gruff voice and facial hair.

Benedict Cumberbatch has a few things to say about that “The Power of the Dog” criticism.

Benedict Cumberbatch is breaking his silence to defend his latest movie, The Power of the Dog.