 |
| Image source greenslate |
Celine Song, the director of the new romance drama Materialists, is speaking out against a growing online label that calls her movie “broke man propaganda.” The filmmaker says this description is “very cruel” and shows a misunderstanding of both her characters and the themes of her work.
The Controversy Around Materialists
The term “broke man propaganda” has been used on social media by some viewers to describe the relationship between the film’s main characters, Lucy (played by Dakota Johnson) and John (played by Chris Evans).
In the movie, Lucy is a young, ambitious matchmaker living in New York City. She is torn between two men:
- Harry (Pedro Pascal), a wealthy financier who seems like the perfect match on paper.
- John (Chris Evans), her struggling actor ex-boyfriend, who doesn’t have much money but still has a deep connection with her.
Some online critics have claimed that the film promotes the idea of choosing a poor man over a wealthy one, which they call “broke man propaganda.”
Celine Song Responds
In a recent interview with Refinery29, Celine Song addressed the backlash directly. She said she doesn’t find the label funny — in fact, she finds it disappointing and troubling.
“I think that it doesn’t make me laugh, because it really is disappointing to me,” Song explained.
She believes that some of the criticism shows a lack of understanding about feminism and its history. She pointed out that much of feminism has roots in anti-corporate and anti-capitalist movements, and that it has always included fighting against inequality created by capitalism.
Poverty Is Not the Fault of the Poor
Song made it clear that she sees John, Chris Evans’ character, as a loving and beautiful person, not someone defined by his financial struggles.
“Poverty is not the fault of the poor,” Song said. “It is very brutal and cruel to talk about John, who loves Lucy, in such terms as ‘broke boy’ or ‘broke man.’”
She added that her concern goes beyond just her film — she is worried about the way society often blames poor people for their situation.
Classism in Romantic Narratives
For Song, calling a character a “broke man” in a negative way is not just an insult to that character — it’s a reflection of classism. She described it as a form of prejudice against poor people, which she sees as deeply harmful.
“There is something about the classism of that, the kind of hatred of poverty, the hatred of poor people, who, again, it’s not their fault that they’re poor,” Song explained.
She believes that wealthy people have influenced society into believing that being poor is a personal failure, when in reality, poverty is often caused by larger social and economic systems.
A Love Story Beyond Money
While Materialists includes a love triangle between a rich man and a poor man, Song says the movie is not simply about choosing between wealth and poverty. Instead, it’s about how capitalism shapes our views on love and relationships.
“The whole movie is about fighting the way that capitalism is trying to colonize our hearts and colonize love,” she said.
According to Song, the movie challenges the idea that a partner’s value should be judged by their financial status. Instead, it focuses on emotional connection, shared values, and the ways in which love can exist outside material gain.
The Characters in Materialists
- Lucy (Dakota Johnson) – A smart, career-focused matchmaker living in New York City. She is drawn to stability and security but also longs for genuine emotional connection.
- Harry (Pedro Pascal) – A wealthy, polished financier who offers Lucy comfort and a lifestyle many would envy.
- John (Chris Evans) – Lucy’s ex-boyfriend, a struggling actor who is still trying to make a living in his chosen field but has a strong emotional bond with her.
This setup puts Lucy at the center of a decision that reflects a common societal tension: choosing love based on passion and history or love based on financial security.
Online Reaction and Social Media Buzz
The phrase “broke man propaganda” began trending shortly after early screenings of Materialists. Some viewers joked about John’s financial struggles, while others criticized the film for romanticizing poverty.
However, many fans of the movie defended it, saying that it offered a more realistic and heartfelt view of relationships, one where money isn’t the only factor.
Why Song Finds the Label Harmful
Song says the term is not just mean-spirited — it reflects a harmful cultural mindset. She fears that making jokes about poverty, especially in a romantic context, encourages the belief that being poor makes someone less worthy of love or respect.
“It makes me feel very concerned that anybody would talk about my movie and my characters and to really think about it in such classist terms,” she said.
A Director Known for Complex Emotions
Celine Song is best known for her 2023 film Past Lives, which earned praise for its emotional depth and sensitive storytelling. Like Materialists, Past Lives explored themes of love, choice, and the forces that shape our lives.
Her latest work continues that style, but this time with a sharper focus on class, capitalism, and the ways money influences relationships.
Feminism, Intersectionality, and Capitalism
Song’s comments also highlight the importance of intersectionality in feminism — the idea that different forms of oppression (such as sexism, racism, and classism) are connected.
She stressed that modern feminism must continue to address economic inequality. In her view, shaming someone for being poor is not just cruel — it also goes against the core values of equality and justice.
Looking Beyond the Backlash
Despite the controversy, Materialists has been attracting attention for its performances and storytelling. Many viewers have praised the chemistry between the cast and the way the film handles complex emotional decisions.
Whether audiences agree with Song’s perspective or not, her comments have sparked a larger discussion about how we talk about money, love, and worth.
Song Invites Viewers
Celine Song’s strong response to the “broke man propaganda” label shows how seriously she takes the themes of her film. To her, Materialists is not about promoting one type of man over another — it’s about questioning the way money and capitalism shape our hearts and our choices.
By defending her characters and pushing back against classist language, Song invites viewers to think more deeply about love, value, and the kind of stories we tell about relationships.
In her own words, the goal is to fight “the way that capitalism is trying to colonize our hearts and colonize love.”