It was awkward position to be in: Joaquin Phoenix on not addressing 'Joker' violence

Actor Joaquin Phoenix says he took a conscious decision to not address the controversy around the violent themes of his recent feature "Joker" as he feared that it might actually lead to extreme incidents.

The film had received unanimous praise for Phoenix's acting as Joker, a villain in the Batman comic mythology but detractors believe his portrayal hits too close to home in a country where gun violence is real issue.

In an interview with Los Angeles Times, Phoenix said he felt blindsided by the criticism coming towards film's way.

"It was an awkward position to be in. Because I thought, 'Well, I can't address this because this is the thing that is potentially part of the problem that's precisely what you shouldn't do.'
Warner Bros had defended the film, saying the aim of storytelling is to "provoke difficult conversations around complex issues."