Amusing comment from Cuaron

[Diana]

> In a message dated 9/8/04 6:20:02 PM, onceupona_party at y... writes:
> 
> 
> > I agree with Deborah - drugs aren't cool and the comment was way 
out
> > of line...equating homosexuals with drug use...Sassy
> > 

Cindy replied:
> I think Cuaron was being symbolic here. I took it to mean he was 
equating 
> Lupin's 'condition' with like someone who is dependent on drugs.   
I don't  
> think he meant it as a literal drug addict, but rather as someone 
who has a 
> physical need for a substance - in Lupin's case, it's the 
wolfsbane potion to 
> counteract the transformation. He comes across as a sickly person, 
ie., a drug 
> addict.

Diana L. chimes in:

The director's quote was also commenting about Lupin's attitude 
towards things.  In addition to the symbolism Cindy cited, the "does 
smack" comment suggests a person who does not do things by the 
rules - a someone who does dangerous things without thinking about 
the consequences - a someone who is outside of everyday normality.  
This character trait directly relates to Lupin's running around 
Hogsmead as a werewolf when he was a student at Hogwarts.  As for 
the "gay uncle" comment, I do think the director was directly 
relating Lupin's werewolf condition and his subsequent ostracism by 
mainstream society because of that condition to the plight of gay 
people and how they are treated by society in general.  Drug addicts 
are also self-destructive, which Lupin certainly seems to be during 
his time as a wolf.  He's always covered in scratches after each 
ordeal in the movie.  
As a sidenote, I also found David Thewlis's portrayal of Lupin to be 
a tad ambiguous on the "gay" front and I would imagine that Curaon 
would have picked up on that actor's take on the character while 
directing him.

Diana L.