

Lola Petticrew, the Belfast-born actor recognized as the Hollywood Reporter's next Cannes Rising Star, is making waves with their bold take on the current state of artistic expression. In a candid interview, Petticrew emphasizes the fundamental human necessity for community and critiques the growing trend in festivals of detached, apolitical messages. According to Petticrew, art should reflect the artist's beliefs and influence societal change rather than succumbing to neutrality. They express disappointment in what they perceive as a failure of many artists to engage with meaningful discourse, suggesting that art needs to bear the weight of responsibility to provoke thought and inspire progress. As the world navigates complex issues, Petticrew argues that artists have a duty to stand for something rather than nothing at all; otherwise, it's a disservice to the very essence of creative expression.