Critic Dubs Steve McQueen 'garbage man' at New York Film Critics Circle Awards

Director Steve McQueen was heckled while he was on stage in the award ceremony for the New York Film Critics Circle Awards inside Edison hotel on Monday.

McQueen was nearly in tears when he ascended to the stage, as he was moved by Harry Belafonte's speech in which he presented him with the Best Director award for his widely acclaimed film 12 years a Slave, when controversial critic Armond White, an editor for New York’s City Arts, reportedly shouted from his table at the back of the room: “ You’re an embarrassing doorman and garbage man. F*** you. Kiss my ass.”

White, an African American, is known for disliking popular films and wrote a scathing review of McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave last October. In his review, he said McQueen had made “the most unpleasant American movie since William Friedkin’s 1973 The Exorcist.” In 2011, the critic hosted the ceremony and insulted Annette Bening and Michelle Williams. In 2012, he is also said to have jeered at Robert De Niro and Viola Davis as they were speaking on-stage.

Joining McQueen on the list of award winners for the night was American Hustle, which won three prizes: Best Film, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Jennifer Lawrence. Robert Redford was titled Best Actor for his role in All is Lost, and Cate Blanchett was titled Best Actress for her role in Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine, while Jared Leto won Best Supporting Actor for Dallas Buyers Club.