Armond White tossed from the NYFCC

Armond White tossed from the New York Film Critics

The story goes that contrarian film critic Armond White was heckling Steve McQueen as he took the stage for the New York Film Critics – this, being the first time any black director has ever won the honor.  White, being one of the few black critics in any film critics group, had panned 12 Years a Slave while simultaneously losing his shit for American Hustle.

“The New York Film Critics Circle deeply regrets any embarrassment caused its guests or honorees by any member’s recent actions,” Stephen Whitty, critic for the Star-Ledger and the group’s new chairman, said in the statement “Sadly, disciplinary measures had to be taken, to prevent any reoccurrence.”

The moment was soured by White and others. There are many witnesses who can confirm what was said and by whom. But nonetheless, White has denied the allegations:

“The allegations are flat out untrue,” Mr. White said in a phone interview Monday afternoon. “There was no heckling from my table.”

He also said that he suspected the expulsion was fueled by animosity from other critics. “I don’t cozy up to the hype machine,” he said. “I think other film critics are embarrassed by the way they cozy up. So they attack me.”

Well, it’s one thing to cozy up — he thinks the NYFCC are bad, try checking out the Broadcast Film Critics. Everybody mostly likes to rub up against celebs.  But it’s a whole other thing to bring dishonor not just to the critics group, which has been around since the 1930s, but to McQueen himself.  I am sure it bothered us a lot more than it bothered him but nonetheless.