Summary – IFFR directors Kleber Mendonça Filho and Carla Simón declare war on influencer kids spoiling movie magic, sparking memes and madness.,
Article –
At the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Kleber Mendonça Filho and Spanish director Carla Simón expressed strong opinions about casting child actors in films, particularly criticizing the rise of influencer kids on sets. Both directors emphasized that using non-professional child actors brings an authentic and spontaneous charm to movies that professional or influencer children often lack.
They noted that the genuine innocence of these kids adds a unique “cinematic sparkle” that no camera lens can replicate. Conversely, they observed that when young actors focus more on their social media presence than their roles, or are managed heavily by agents, the natural magic tends to fade. According to the directors, children who have social media followings bigger than the movie itself sometimes forget they’re actually in a film and not just performing for online likes.
Social Media Frenzy and Backlash
Following these candid remarks, social media erupted with various reactions. Hashtags such as #JusticeForTheChaiBoy and #BanInfluencerKids surfaced, sparking petitions and memes. Fans humorously edited movie scenes by replacing influencer kids with toddlers from the crew’s snack table, highlighting the demand for “raw, unfiltered kid drama” that feels genuine rather than staged for social media popularity.
Conspiracy Theories and Industry Jokes
Speculation ran wild with some theorists suggesting that Hollywood might be intentionally casting influencer kids to boost TikTok impressions during shooting breaks. An anonymous insider joked that this could be a covert plan to replace traditional acting with social media-ready performances, like perfectly timed eyebrow raises or snack breaks. Others humorously hypothesized that kids on set might be getting hooked on coffee to perfect their “authentic sadness” scenes.
The Dystopian Future of Casting?
They envisioned a chaotic future where directors choose leads primarily based on Instagram followers rather than talent, leading to bizarre script changes that incorporate viral dance challenges and lip sync battles filmed with dozens of cameras for maximum social media exposure. Budget cuts would favor sponsored T-shirts over traditional wardrobe, and Oscar speeches might turn into advertisement opportunities. This possible scenario underscores the importance of interventions by experienced filmmakers like Mendonça Filho and Simón.
Upcoming Projects and Solutions
In a hopeful twist, Mendonça Filho reportedly plans a new film featuring exclusively undiscovered neighborhood children—strictly no influencers allowed, aside from perhaps a quirky street dog for comic relief. Carla Simón was approached to co-direct, on the condition that she enforces strict snack time regulations to keep agents from interfering. Whether this project materializes remains unclear, but it illustrates the directors’ commitment to preserving authenticity in their craft.
Stay tuned for more updates and insider chuckles from FAKY SHAKY News as this cinematic saga unfolds!
About The Author
