Iñárritu Speaks About Mexican Government: 'The State Isn't Just Corrupt, It Is Corruption'

After Alejandro González Iñárritu triumphed at the Oscars with “Birdman” he gave his memorable speech hoping Mexico would find and build “the government it deserves.” Shortly after, President Peña Nieto congratulated him (and Lubezki) profusely via Twitter saying, “Congratulations Emmanuel Lubezki for that well-deserved Oscar! His cinematographic work in “Birdman” is extraordinary,” followed by Mexico’s governing political party, PRI, which said: “Agreeing with Mexican pride, it is a fact that, more than deserving it, we are building a better government. Congratulations #GonzálezIñárritu.”

Just last week, Iñárritu spoke on the matter to Italian newspaper “La Repubblica” where they asked him how his perspective had changed, and if his roots are still in Mexico. To this, the filmmaker explained, “I can fly anywhere but I cant cut my roots, even when it seems like corruption has reached the most elemental levels of life in my country. Before, they would kidnap only the rich; nowadays they kidnap the guy who sells produce or refreshments in the street. The government is no longer part of the corruption; it is corruption.”

When asked if he feels afraid when he’s in Mexico, Iñárritu responded with a metaphor: “The fear is similar to the one we feel towards wolves. We’re afraid because we don’t see them. We can go to the police to report something and the wolves can be right there. We live in a steppe.”