Jodie Foster and Alex Hedison Sing the Praises of Activist Influencer ‘Alok’

Producer Jodie Foster and director Alex Hedison are joined by Alok Vaid-Menon at Sundance to discuss their short film, “Alok,” which captures some of the influencer’s unique philosophy, such as their assertion that “The world is the way it is now because people are living a lie.” The trio dropped by the IndieWire Studio presented by Dropbox to discuss the film and Vaid-Menon’s assertion that there is no more radical pronoun than “we.” Plus, Foster gives a little tease of what’s ahead on “True Detective: Night Country.”

[@obinwataje]

“The world is the way it is now because people are living a lie.” Ironically - I agree.

[@beevandyke1959]

He is living a lie that people can change sex or that sex is on a spectrum . He is living the lie that women have a penis. Jodie is an idiot.

[@cmmndrblu]

People are being their authentic selves by claiming they are born in the wrong body.... I don't get it

[@MarCapa-ed5uv]

“Your response to people who hate you is trying to understand where they’re coming from”. I’m lesbian, and some 3 years ago I went to visit my Mom. We had a nice conversation about my sexual orientation, I say “nice” because my mom does not mention it a lot, almost as if it was something she wanted to pretend it wasn’t part of me. But I remember her saying to me that she was proud of me as a woman, and that she knows that I’m a good person and that’s what mattered, then she proceeded by saying that my grandpa, her father, was offensive to homosexuals, that she has heard him saying bad words about them, and that it made her feel bad. I gotta mention my grandpa did not know about my sexual orientation, I haven’t seen him in a very long time. I remember telling my mom that that wasn’t going to change the way I felt for him, that I still loved and respected him, because I understood THAT HIS TIMES WERE DIFFERENT. Having empathy for the people who don’t have it for you, actually makes you a bigger person. The interesting story here is that when grandpa died, my mom told me over the phone that one day, the two of them were sitting on the porch and, out of the blue, he told her “don’t push Mar (that’s me) away, she is also your daughter and you must love her, no matter what”. I’ve lived by my own since I came out, I’m 40 now, since 19 I got out of my house because things were not ok with me and my family because of me being gay, but, I reconciled with my mom little by little, my siblings are another story (none of them talk to me). They behave “civil” by not reacting in my presence but, they never mention, text, nor call me. So, my grandpa thought that my mom rejected me too and, that’s why he told her that. Even more interesting, when my mom told me that about grandpa, I felt good for her, more than for me. Because mom suffered when she heard him say offensive things thinking that he was hating on her own child. Gracias abuelo.

[@jennjusen7102]

I wonder in what way people perceive this being Alok as ‚authentic‘, ‚kind’ or even ‚wise’ whatsoever. To me his presence radiates superficiality on any level.

[@TRUECRIMESPTV]

I love how people not understanding something means it’s fibber gabber rather than they lack the ability or willingness to understand it.

[@Cindy-v9s]

Very good subject people need to know more about this.

[@benjaminfranklin8412]

I do like his outfit.

[@alexr137]

*their outfit

[@benjaminfranklin8412]

@alexr137 I am not a gender ideologue...but you are welcome to call him they if you are. I am just too skeptical of religious beliefs.

[@benjaminfranklin8412]

He had some good points. Yes, we are all human.

[@vdudya]

Anyone giving space to someone who called children kinky without bringing it up is just fawning and bias.

[@lorraine.bernardettehoole7743]

What a load of narcissistic word salad.

[@beckyhoffbauer7030]

I'm so sad and sorry that you cannot hear about love, self-inquiry and how that brings one to compassion for all beings.

[@michelleruse6251]

I literally cannot understand what these people are talking about. Just lots of words which say nothing. I was looking forward to listening to a proper discussion with content and meaning but actually its just waffle.

[@MM-eb4uq]

it's complete word salad. Which is to be expected from grifter freaks like Alok

[@beckyhoffbauer7030]

I'm so sad and sorry that you cannot hear about love, self-inquiry and how that brings one to compassion for all beings.

[@michelleruse6251]

@@beckyhoffbauer7030 Maybe you could explain what they actually said? Because I really don't think even they know

[@MarCapa-ed5uv]

@michelleruse6251 Then, your head is so full of judgement that it impairs your hearing.

[@tracylf5409]

@@michelleruse6251 Sounds very more like you refuse to hear. I wish you peace.

[@melindaharrington900]

What a world shattering failure as a human being Jodie Foster turned out to be.

[@jumblyman]

I’ve often wondered where she stood on this issue, she always seemed smart and tough. I figured she’d be like Martina Navratilova on this yet she’s just another clueless virtue signalling actor.

[@MarCapa-ed5uv]

Because she doesn’t think like you? 😊

[@melindaharrington900]

No because i grew up watching Jodie as an exemplary independent young woman who unflinchingly confronted the societal norms regarding womanhood, particularly in "The Accused" where she brilliantly refocused the gaze from male to female, and very bravely held a mirror up to an incredibly violent and sexist society. And now, here she sits, silent and nodding stupidly. Inane and flaccid. Ineffectual and (I believe) lost... I sincerely hope she finds her true self again. Come out from the shadow, Jodie. We need you.

[@idonttan]

@@jumblymanI really want to believe that she’s just pretending to be on board with this to support her woke wife. It’s ridiculous that any lesbian who grew up in the 90s would be ok with this clown takeover and erasure of women.

[@ellenpederson-lewis8557]

I perceived her as listening and allowing the other people to give their thoughts. She may not feel comfortable speaking about these issues ... as comfortable as the other two are. I do not find her to be a "shattering failure of a human being". That's just a hugely negative opinion of another person.

[@meala23]

Alok speaks wisely, thoughtfully, with so much love. Their art is beautiful. I'm so grateful to the man enough podcast for introducing me to their existence!