Burstyn Criticizes Modern Method Acting During Venice Masterclass
At a Venice Film Festival masterclass, Ellen Burstyn expressed reservations about current method acting practices. She noted that today's approach differs from the original concept taught by her mentor Lee Strasberg. Burstyn is at the festival to receive a Golden Lion for lifetime achievement.
Burstyn, an Oscar winner known for "The Exorcist," is in Venice to accept a Golden Lion for lifetime achievement. She also stars in two festival entries: Maggie Gyllenhaal's "Flesh Impact" and Kornél Mundruczó's "A Place to Be."
During her masterclass, she contrasted today's practices with the foundational approach taught by her mentor, Lee Strasberg. The session also included her recollection of a brief encounter with Marilyn Monroe.
Burstyn's critique could reignite debates among acting educators and students about the efficacy of extreme immersion. It may prompt younger performers to reassess their training, potentially steering the industry toward more disciplined, text-based techniques. For audiences, this discourse could subtly shift expectations of what constitutes authentic performance, though its broader impact on cinematic storytelling remains to be seen.