Ayo Edebiri speaks up after reporter says #MeToo, BLM movements are 'done'

Ayo Edebiri is getting praise for her response to an uninformed interviewer, asking about her latest project, a film that takes on sexual assault.

During promotion for the film "After the Hunt" at the Venice Film Festival, an ArtsLife TV interviewer asked her costars, Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield, about "what we lost in the 'politically correct' era" and "what we have to expect in Hollywood after the #MeToo movement and the Black Lives Matter are done."

The framing of the question immediately caused confusion and surprise. Garfield turned to Roberts and Edebiri, and then Roberts asked the Italian interviewer to repeat the question and added, "with your sunglasses on, I can't tell which of us you're talking to." The interviewer then said the question was for Roberts and Garfield.

Roberts says, "It's not done," before a stunned Edebiri interjects. "I know that that's not for me, and I don't know if it's purposeful if it's not for me, but I just am curious. I don't think it's done," she said. "Hashtags might not be used as much, but I do think that there's work being done by activists, by people every day, that's beautiful, important work. That's really active for a reason, because this world's really charged. And that work isn't finished at all.

"Maybe there's not mainstream coverage in the way that there might have been, daily headlines in the way that it might have been eight or so years ago, but I don't think it means that the work is done," Edebiri continued. "That's what I would say."

Garfield then added that both "movements are still absolutely alive, as you say, just maybe not as covered or magnified as much in this present moment."

Online, fans praised Edebiri's "poise and grace" and "thoughtful" eloquence. Another person wrote: "hope this interviewer got fired."

USA TODAY has reached out to Arts Life for comment.

Federica Polidoro, the journalist who conducted the interview, addressed the criticism and accusations of racism on Instagram on Sept. 7.

"I have been subjected to personal insults and attacks because of a question that, for some reason, was not well received by some members of the public," she wrote in a statement. She said the focus should be on the "thoughtful responses" of the cast rather than "how I should have phrased" the "uncomfortable" question.

"The real racists are those who see racism everywhere and seek to muzzle journalism," she continued. "Journalism's role is to ask questions, even on delicate topics, with respect and responsibility. I will not tolerate or accept defamatory or violent language, and I reserve the right to seek legal protection against" detractors.

"After the Hunt," from director Luca Guadagnino, tackles the #MeToo moment as it follows a college professor (Roberts) and her star student (Edebiri) after the latter accuses a university faculty member (Garfield) of sexual assault. The film has stirred controversy since its premiere at Venice in late August, as some critics have argued that the film "revives old arguments" about trusting female accusers.