Michael Douglas Warns U.S. Flirts with Autocracy at Karlovy Vary Festival

At the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Michael Douglas, producer of the 50th anniversary restored screening of Miloš Forman's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," expressed deep concern about the state of American democracy, warning that the U.S. is "flirting with autocracy." He emphasized the vulnerability of democracy and the need for continual protection, lamenting that politics has become a profit-driven enterprise where many enter for financial gain rather than idealism. Douglas refrained from extensively discussing President Donald Trump, stating the president's name had been mentioned enough, but implied that recent autocratic actions by Trump and others have triggered widespread peaceful protests across the country. He highlighted the importance of citizen responsibility in safeguarding democracy, drawing parallels to the hard-fought freedoms in the Czech Republic. Douglas's remarks were echoed by the large demonstrations protesting Trump's conduct, underscoring a public unwillingness to accept autocratic tendencies. The festival also revealed plans for a new TV series inspired by "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," told from Chief Bromden's perspective, though not a remake.