First Man-star Jason Clarke has dismissed criticism that the film is less than patriotic as it does not depict the planting of the American flag on the moon.

Clarke, who stars as Edward Higgins White, the first American man to walk in space in the Apollo 11 story, responded to criticism surrounding the Damien Chazelle-directorial following a critical tweet from politician Marco Rubio decrying the lack of the flag-planting scene. 

"It's nonsense, it's just nonsense. The film itself can be interpreted as patriotic," said Clarke, speaking at the Deauville Film Festival where he was accepting a career honour. "It's just silly and naive, I think. Of course, it celebrates one of the greatest acts of America and Americans, and mankind."

The controversy followed the film's press conference in Venice last month, when star Ryan Gosling said he believed Armstrong's moonwalk "was widely regarded not as an American, but as a human achievement."

Clarke drew comparisons between the film's theme and today's political atmosphere, which he called 'dangerous'.

"We're happy to hold up people that hold up our ideals but don't really buy them. Hypocrisy and lack of responsibility is one of the biggest challenges facing us today," says Clarke.