Leonardo DiCaprio Defends 'Wolf of Wall Street'

Leonardo DiCaprio defended his most recent film ' Wolf of Wall Street' directed by Martin Scorsese, after being the subject of harsh criticism, mainly because, according to the criticizers, it celebrates the self-obsessed lifestyle of convicted con man Jordan Belfort, played by DiCaprio.

In an interview with Variety, DiCaprio said “I hope people understand we’re not condoning this behavior, that we’re indicting it.”

The film follows Jordan Belfort's rise to power and wealth, and his downfall after being convicted in several drugs and money laundry-related cases. The film also shows Belfort's relation with the FBI, and their attempts to recruit him.

DiCaprio added: “The book was a cautionary tale and if you sit through the end of the film, you’ll realize what we’re saying about these people and this world, because it’s an intoxicating one. I think it’s amazing somebody like Martin Scorsese is still making films that are vital and talked about, and have an element of controversy about them.”

Noteworthy was the booing reaction of a number of the most important Oscars voters, who criticized the film's content, after a screening made for members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences before the film's theatrical release.