Luca Guadagnino defends Timothée Chalamet after opera backlash

Luca Guadagnino has come to the defence of Timothée Chalamet following backlash over the actor’s comments comparing theatrical moviegoing to opera and ballet.

The controversy began after Chalamet said he did not want cinema to become like “ballet or opera”, suggesting such art forms struggle to maintain mainstream relevance. The remarks sparked criticism from members of the global opera and ballet communities.

Speaking to Italian newspaper La Stampa, Guadagnino said he was surprised by the scale of the reaction. “I do not understand how one single comment can become a planetary polemic,” he said, while acknowledging that Chalamet may have spoken impulsively. He described the actor as “young, smart, sensitive” and motivated by concerns about the future of cinema.

Guadagnino’s remarks come as he prepares to stage The Death of Klinghoffer at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, where organisers had previously criticised Chalamet’s comments and invited him to attend the production.

The director emphasised the importance of unity across creative disciplines, stating that film, opera and other art forms should support rather than compete with one another.

Guadagnino, who previously directed Chalamet in Call Me by Your Name, is also working on his upcoming feature Artificial, which explores the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. The film is expected to premiere later this year.