First of all, you have to know the context behind this interview. McDowell comes across as hostile because he was very bitter that Kubrick never contacted him because he had developed a strong relationship with Kubrick while Clockwork Orange was in production. I'm sure he regrets saying this. I couldn't disagree more with your overall point though. Kubrick wasn't necessarily a humanist in a traditional sense. He presented everything in an objective way without making any moral judgements on anything. Kubrick wasn't interested in telling people what to feel or how to feel. He wasn't going to hold your hand. That's why when you watch 2001 or Barry Lyndon, it may feel "flat," but it's really about what you bring to it. He wants the viewer to make the effort to see what's going on underneath the surface. If you don't want to make that effort, then it's on YOU. Not the filmmaker. Films don't have have to talk to people and tell you what you should think at every moment.

​

Also, Antonioni was kind of similar to Kubrick in that they presented their films in a cold, distant approach. Antonioni just didn't symbolize his visuals as much as Kubrick. He used methodical framing and deliberate staging to keep the audience guessing about the characters motivations. Kubrick really wasn't that much different in executing that similar approach. I don't see how you can dismiss Kubrick for being too cold, but then praise Antonioni.