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Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin blasted Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook for his characterization of filmmakers as “opportunistic” in making films about the company’s late co-founder, Steve Jobs.
In his recent appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Cook took issue with the cinematic depictions of Jobs — one an unflattering documentary, the second Sorkin’s upcoming film, an early trailer of which focuses on the Silicon Valley legend initially denying paternity of his daughter, Lisa.
“A lot of people try to be opportunistic,” Cook said. “I hate this. It’s not a great part of our world.”
Sorkin used the forum of a press junket to fire back. According to an account in the Hollywood Reporter, the screenwriter said Cook should reserve judgment until seeing the film. Then, he offered a stinging retort.
“If you’ve got a factory full of children in China assembling phones for 17 cents an hour you’ve got a lot of nerve calling someone else opportunistic,” Sorkin reportedly said.
Apple has been the focus of criticism for the labor practices of its suppliers.
The company’s most recent report on supplier responsibility, published earlier this year, uncovered 16 instances of underage workers at its six facilities. Apple noted that while this is a fraction of its 1.6 million workers covered by the 633 audits, “underage labor is unacceptable. So we won’t stop until it’s eliminated from our supply chain.”
An Apple spokesperson declined comment.
The movie, starring Michael Fassbender in the title role, is scheduled for release Oct. 9 in the U.S.
This article originally appeared on Recode.net.
