In his new drama thriller ‘Side Effects,’ which is currently in theaters, director Steven Soderbergh explores who’s responsible when a mentally ill patient commits a crime-the perpetrator, the antidepressant medicine she took or the doctor who prescribed it. While discussing the debate with Celebuzz, one of the film’s stars, Catherine Zeta-Jones said that the challenge is for society as a whole to become more careful about the way the media affect the people who are most susceptible. She noted that children are vulnerable to the influence of media violence, and are more likely to commit violence as a result.
“I think we all have to take a little bit more responsibility of what is put out there,” Zeta-Jones says. “The consequences of what happens if it’s perceived wrong or taken for ‘complete reality.’”
The Academy Award-winning actress suggested that Hollywood has become a convenient scapegoat for society, as people look for someone to blame real-life violence on. She also insisted that it’s important for popular entertainment to explore serious real-life issues.
“A lot of people wag their finger at Hollywood because there are no other answers to the question,” she says. “[But] I think it’s interesting to deal with real subjects, real crises, what happens in our culture today on film. I mean, it’s absolutely necessary.”
Watch the video of Zeta-Jones discussing ‘Side Effects‘ and the influence of media violence with Celebuzz below.
Written by: Karen Benardello
