On June 23, the world was shaken by the tragic accident involving the Titan submersible. Five passengers were lost during a tour to explore the wreck of the Titanic, located about 600 kilometers from Newfoundland, Canada.
As the situation was still unfolding, James Cameron, the director of Titanic (1997), expressed his deep sorrow and shared his thoughts on the incident during an interview. He sparked controversy by comparing the Titan submersible disaster to the Titanic tragedy, which occurred over 100 years ago.
Director at the Center of Controversy
In an interview with ABC News, James Cameron did not shy away from drawing parallels between the two disasters. According to him, the Titan’s crew received warnings about the iceberg ahead of the submersible but ultimately plunged into the ‘dark abyss’ of the ocean, leading to the tragic loss of life.
The 1954-born director remarked that the similarities between these two tragedies were quite striking and somewhat shocking. “There has never been a situation quite as dire as this before; certainly, no prior incident has occurred before this one,” he stated.
However, Cameron faced significant backlash from many audiences. A large portion felt that this discussion could create confusion and simultaneously foster a negative sentiment towards exploration companies.
James Cameron is known for the success of the film Titanic, which won 11 Oscars in 1998
This is not the first time James Cameron has made controversial statements. The Canadian director is known for various cinematic bombshells in Hollywood, but he often finds himself the focal point of criticism.
In 2017, Cameron caused an uproar when he criticized the film Wonder Woman directed by Patty Jenkins.
In a discussion with The Guardian, the director of Titanic lamented the situation in the film industry, expressing that the accolades given to Wonder Woman led many to mistakenly perceive it as an outstanding film. He stated that the character is merely a symbol of the current era, created by those who have dominated Hollywood.
Immediately, many audiences felt that James Cameron was adopting a sexist stance. He did not hesitate to criticize the industry, often suggesting that he was the trailblazer.
Later, Patty Jenkins had to step forward to refute the criticisms made against her. She emphasized, “James Cameron does not understand Wonder Woman or its true significance. Although he is a filmmaker of great stature, he should not dictate what constitutes a female-led film.”
Moreover, James Cameron has also faced backlash for his strong stance on diversity issues. In 2010, he was criticized for “throwing shade” at the demand for more representation in the film industry, calling for a “greater showdown” to combat discriminatory practices. His remarks were perceived as offensive, leading to many turning away from Avatar (2009).
Thirteen years later, Avatar 2 continues to draw criticism. James Cameron has since been accused of being oblivious to the cultural significance of representation and diversity. His approach to storytelling has been described as “emotionless.”
Before the Titan incident, James Cameron faced audience backlash several times
Deep Passion for the Ocean
Despite being well-known, James Cameron remains deeply passionate about the ocean, even though he grew up in Ontario (Canada), far removed from the ocean’s reach.
The filmmaker once shared this passion with National Geographic, stating that he began diving into the ocean at the age of 17, and his love for it has only grown stronger.
He has made numerous dives to explore the Titanic wreck during the production of Titanic, as well as in the documentary Ghosts of the Abyss (2003), which recounts the haunting tragedy. According to Variety, James Cameron has completed a total of 33 deep-sea exploration missions.
In addition to his film work, he also published a book titled Exploring the Deep, released in 2017. The work compiles photographs, sketches, and recounts Cameron’s experiences each time he explored the Titanic wreck.
According to CNN, James Cameron has accumulated vast experiences from his deep-sea explorations. The director owns a personal submersible, which once descended over 8 kilometers into the depths of the New Britain Trench.
He also reached the deepest point in the Earth’s crust, the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean, which is over 10 kilometers deep. Simultaneously, the director also explored the intricacies of diving into the ocean for over three hours beneath the surface.
James Cameron at the helm of the Deepsea Challenger during an event in 2013
James Cameron compares exploring the depths of the ocean to no other adventure: “It is a very dark, desolate, and lonely place. I feel as if I’ve arrived at another planet. There is a vast emptiness below that we will have to face at some point in time,” he stated.
Recently, James Cameron returned to the film industry with the project Avatar 2. The entire visual experience of the movie was filmed underwater, as a way to exhibit his passion for the ocean. The production process took several years, costing hundreds of millions of USD.
His vast experiences and knowledge have emboldened James Cameron to speak about the Titan submersible. However, his confidence has also drawn considerable criticism and has yet to truly resonate, especially as the Titan tragedy continues to cast a shadow over the world.
