David O Russell has apologised after making light of slavery when discussing actress Jennifer Lawrence.
The director of American Hustle and Silver Linings Playbook made the ill-advised joke when saying that the Oscar-winning actress is over-worked when it comes to her Hunger Games promotional schedule.
“I personally think they should give her a bit of breathing room over there because they’re printing money,” he was quoted as saying last week.
Jennifer Lawrence in American Hustle (Studio Still)
“But she’s a very alive person. I’ll tell you what it is about that girl – talk about 12 years of slavery, that’s what the franchise is. I’m going to get in so much trouble for saying that.”
He was referring to 12 Years A Slave, the critically lauded movie that shows Chiwetel Ejiofor as a real-life slave in the 19th century.
In a statement, Russell has apologised – saying:
“Clearly, I used a stupid analogy in a poor attempt at humour. I realised it the minute I said it and I’m truly sorry.”
