Taika Waititi’s Blunt Verdict on Biopics Sparks Debate

Taika Waititi has always been something of an enigma, even for those who count themselves among his most ardent admirers. Perhaps you were captivated by the offbeat charm of his low-budget vampire comedy, What We Do in the Shadows, yet found yourself less than enthusiastic at the prospect of enduring a superhero blockbuster. The New Zealander’s career has spanned a remarkable range, and it’s likely that even his biggest fans have found themselves at odds with some of his more unconventional choices. Waititi, for his part, seems to relish this unpredictability. His work is steeped in a mischievous, subversive humour that would make any schoolteacher wince, and this same spirit is evident whenever he sits down for an interview.

He has a knack for voicing thoughts that most in his position would scarcely dare to entertain, let alone say aloud. On one occasion, he described himself as his own greatest supporter—a sentiment that, while probably not unique in the film industry, is rarely expressed so openly. At times, his remarks appear designed more to provoke than to reflect any deep-seated conviction. For instance, he once declared, without hesitation, that director’s cuts are invariably disappointing. Yet perhaps his most sweeping dismissal was reserved for an entire category of film.

Waititi’s Unfiltered Opinions

In a 2017 conversation with The Guardian, the filmmaker did not mince words when discussing biographical films.

“They’re the worst type of movie,”

he asserted, going on to label them as universally tedious.

“They’re always subject to such scrutiny,”

he continued,

“Like … ‘Oh, they really learned to play piano, they went around wearing blue suede shoes for the entire shoot’. I think, why is that interesting for an actor? Who cares?”

It’s a sentiment that, while blunt, is not entirely without precedent. The industry has a long tradition of producing ponderous, self-important biographical dramas, often with an eye towards awards season.

Still, it’s worth noting that if one were to single out the genre most responsible for undermining the art of cinema, many would point to the rise of comic book adaptations. That the director of Thor chose to single out biographical films—overlooking the impact of superhero franchises—says something about his approach to candour. It suggests that his reputation for unfiltered honesty may, at times, be more performance than principle.

Provocation as a Calling Card

What emerges most clearly from such remarks is that Waititi is not a man who expects to be taken entirely at face value. Whether he’s delivering a speech at an awards ceremony or lobbing criticisms at the industry’s sacred cows, he seems to delight in stirring the pot. There’s a sense that he enjoys keeping audiences and colleagues alike on their toes, never quite sure what he’ll say next.

Ironically, despite his outspoken aversion to the biographical genre, there’s every chance he could excel within it. Not long ago, he floated the idea of creating a musical centred on the infamous Fyre Festival debacle. It’s not hard to imagine him tackling the life story of a historical figure—perhaps even in a science fiction setting—should the mood strike him. For many, the prospect would be rather intriguing.