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‘Ashamed’ Begin Again Director Issues Apology After Slating Keira Knightley

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John Carney, who directed Keira Knightley in the 2013 movie ‘Begin Again’, has issued an apology after he slated her in an interview.

Carney accused her of diva-ish behaviour and called into question her acting skills, but has now called his comments 'petty, mean and hurtful’.

He also added that he’s contacted Knightley personally to apologise.

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In a note posted to Twitter, prefixed with ‘From a director who feels like a complete idiot’, he said: “Recently, in a phone interview, the conversation turned to a discussion about a past film, ‘Begin Again,’ starring Kiera (sic) Knightley.

“I said a number of things about Keira which were petty, mean and hurtful. I’m ashamed of myself that I could say such things and I’ve been trying to account for what they say about me. In trying to pick holes in my own work, I ended up blaming someone else.

“That’s not only bad directing, that’s shoddy behaviour, that I am not in any way proud of. It’s arrogant and disrespectful. Keira was nothing but professional and dedicated during that film and she contributed hugely to its success.

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“I wrote to Keira personally to apologise, but I wanted to publicly, and unreservedly apologise to her fans and friends and anyone else who I have offended. It’s not something that I could ever justify, and will never repeat.”

In the interview, which appeared in The Independent, he that he’d 'never make a film with supermodels again’, and that Knightley’s 'entourage’ had caused delays on set.

“It’s not like I hate the Hollywood thing, but I like to work with curious, proper film actors as opposed to movie stars,” he added, while doing the rounds promoting his new movie 'Sing Street’.

“I don’t want to rubbish Keira, but you know it’s hard being a film actor and it requires a certain level of honesty and self-analysis that I don’t think she’s ready for yet and I certainly don’t think she was ready for on that film.

“Keira’s thing is to hide who you are and I don’t think you can be an actor and do that.”

A number of Knightley’s previous collaborators came to her defence following the comments, including Mark Romanek, who directed her in 'Never Let Me Go’.

Taking to Twitter, he said:

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Ava DuVernay added: “There are actors that directors won’t call again for whatever reason. But don’t disparage them in the press. C’mon.”

Knightley has not commented on the matter.

Image credits: WENN/Twitter/Weinstein Company