New York Film Critics Chairperson Apologizes for Armond White's Comments

The Chairperson of the New York Film Critics has apologized for critic Armond White's comments to director Steve McQueen.

Chairperson Joshua Rothkopf said in a statement that he was sorry and upset to hear that someone would curse at the director. He said, "On behalf of the New York Film Critics Circle, I apologize sincerely for the crass bit of heckling Mr. McQueen encountered. I'm mortified to learn that this was from one of our own members. We are taking disciplinary action."

He continued, "I'm especially pained that this occurred in your case. Rarely do we receive thank-you notes, as Steve sent us after the vote. Moreover, his speech showed a deep understanding of the history of our award winners: an honored group in which he stands as an equal. Please forward our apology on to him."

White later responded to the Variety article that alleged he had shouted, "You're an embarrassing doorman and garbage man. [Expletive] you. Kiss my [Expletive]."

He told Thompson on Hollywood, "I was not in a position or vicinity to yell at McQueen. It was talking among my tablemates. The Variety and Wire lines are outright misquotes and lies. You might want to ask why the gutter bloggers continue to misquote and distort the event and NYFCC history."

White has become one of the most controversial film critics of recent times; he is a well-known contrarian. This year, he bashed such critically-acclaimed movies as "Gravity," "Blue Jasmine" and "Captain Phillips." His most despised film this year, however, seemed to be McQueen's "12 Years a Slave." He compared the movie to torture porn and said it was similar to watching "Saw," "Hostel" and "The Human Centipede."