I've been hearing about this frequently in the news and saw this article on People.com. Some folks are crying foul about the skin colour of this years nominees.
http://www.people.com/article/oscars-diversity-ceo-actors-members-speak-out
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i haven't paid attention to the oscars in years. i think the underlying problem is what's getting written and produced and who's getting cast, but i can see why people focus on the oscars as kind of an emblematic flashpoint for those underlying issues. i think it's generally acknowledged that the mainstream entertainment industry is controlled mostly by white males, and people chosen for parts are mostly white and young. lots of issues.
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I agree with @edelweiss that this issue is symptomatic of a larger issue with a lack of good roles for minority actors (or maybe a lack of minority actors being cast in good roles). I feel similarly about the lack of strong, central female characters with a lot of depth. I can understand people's upset that actors like Idris Elba weren't nominated this year, though, as the movie he was in was very highly critically acclaimed and I heard he was excellent.
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@edelweiss: @MrsSCB: but this year there wasn't a lack of good black films. White actors and white people behind the scenes in these black films are being recognized. Ex. Sylvester Stallone in Creed or the screenwriters for Straight Outta Compton. The black talent- actors, directors of these films that received lots of praise and box office success were not recognized. That's where I feel the disconnect appears to be.
To be fair I haven't seen all of the films nominated or the ones that were snubbed to determine if I agree with the Academy. I did see Straight Outta Compton (SOC) and Beasts of No Nation. For sure, I though the guy that played Eazy-E in SOC would be nominated for something- Golden Globes, SAG, Oscars. He was amazing.
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I've been loosely following it. I also think the bigger issue is where are those Oscar worthy movies with minority actors are in the first place. I do think though they can do a better job though. I think I read something that said a lot of these nominating members are older and some of these movies like Straight Outta Compton just flies over the heads...
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i'd be interested to see how diverse the voting members are. Apparently once you get membership you are a member for life.
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It's a controversy because it's the second year in a row that an all white group of individuals were nominated. I find it ludicrous that there would be two years in a row where no black actors/directors/screenwriters etc were deserving of a nomination especially when actors such as Idris Elba or David Oyelowo were nominated for every award out there BUT the Academy Award. There were plenty of potential nominees out there but it's starting to seem like Hollywood has a problem with honoring black people on a regular basis for their work.
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I liked what Lupita said in response to the controversy, basically that we need to expand the stories that are told and recognition of the people who tell them. Also reminds me of Chimimanda's "danger of a single story." A lot of the best picture movies are based on true events and people who are white. Or if not white is the default. Even if the movie may call for a minority, sometimes it's whitewashed.
The Oscars aren't really the problem but they illustrate the lack of opportunity for writers, producers, filmmakers of color. I mean the Academy is mostly old white men, right? Same with most of Hollywood power players.
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@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I completely agree with you, which is why I referenced Idris Elba in Beasts of No Nation. Michael B. Jordan in Creed, Will Smith in Concussion -- I think any of them (and more) would have made excellent nominees. I'm just saying it goes even beyond just the Oscars. It's a systemic problem in Hollywood and has been for a long time, and I'd love to see that addressed as well.
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I think we can all agree that it's ridonkulous that Sylvester Stallone is nominated and Idris Elba and Michael B. Jordan aren't. Stallone can't act. Period.
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I mean, your use of quotes around 'controversy' pretty clearly shows how you feel about it.
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I think this a problem.
I agree with @edelweiss that the root of the problem is with producers and casting and the false premise that black and other minority leads aren't as marketable. -
I saved this from FB over the wknd. It's from 2012 but relevant.
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@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I didn't realize that White actors and white people behind the scenes in these black films are being recognized. That is even more upsetting.
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@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: ah, interesting. that is a good point then. i have not been to the theater in years and have little idea of what movies are out. thanks for pointing that out!
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I agree with @edelweiss: @MrsSCB: and the other posters who mentioned that this is due to underlying issues of diversity within the industry. I think it is unfortunate that the Oscars are being held to the wall for it though. I also don't think that the entertainment industry is the only sector that has poor diversity within it.
I think its a real shame that some of his peers are urging Chris Rock to step aside from his hosting duties - I think he's awesome and I'm so looking forward to his hosting antics!
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@mrsjazz: wait, wha? stallone?
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@Autumnmama79: I don't think there's a problem with diversity in the industry -- there are many excellent actors and actresses who are also minorities. The problem is a lack of deep, leading minority roles and lack of casting of minority actors in great roles. I do think it makes sense to call out the Oscars this year, because as I mentioned there were some standout actors and actresses of color this year. BUT I also don't want the issue with the Oscars to overshadow the larger issues with casting and writing good roles. The same goes for strong female leads as well. I would like to see more of those written.
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@edelweiss: Actor in a Supporting Role. He won a Golden Globe, too. Um no.
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@MrsSCB: I agree that the problem lies within creating the deep, meaningful roles for minority actors that will ultimately lead to oscar nominations. Does the movie industry, a private, for profit enterprise, have a responsibility to do that?
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@Autumnmama79: Certainly the entertainment industry doesn't HAVE to do anything. But even if their only concern is profit, they should. People want to see themselves reflected in TV and film -- that's only natural. If they're interested in drawing large, diverse audiences, then they're going to need to adjust accordingly. And I would think that would be important to film studios. Also, if they want to keep talented actors and actresses engaged in the industry, which of course should be a priority, they're going to need to up their game.
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@MrsSCB: well there is a problem with diversity in the industry--with the behind the scenes people, Hollywood execs specifically.
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@mrsjazz: OK, yes, I should have specified I was speaking of actors and actresses in particular. As in it's not as though anyone can claim there just aren't talented minority actors and actresses to cast. I know lack of diversity at the executive level is a problem in Hollywood (and realistically in nearly every industry) and it definitely contributes to the dearth of good roles. And certainly a lack of nominations as well.
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@MrsSCB: I guess the sad reality is that the industry will continue making movies they feel will generate the largest profit, regardless of colour.
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@mrsjazz: I can't believe Stallone won a golden globe and is nominated for an oscar?! What the heck.
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@mrsjazz: well, it's certainly an accomplishment to be nominated when no one can understand what you're saying. okay that was mean. i actually get a kick out of watching him, but not because i consider him oscar worthy.
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@edelweiss: Bahahaha. Yes it was funny!!
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@mrsjazz: @edelweiss: @Autumnmama79: and Stallone had a "senior moment" and didn't acknowledge or thank the black director or lead black actor in his GG acceptance speech. That was dissappointing.
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@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: ouch. that's just inconsiderate.
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@edelweiss: hysterical!
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Yeah that was dumb. But in his defense a lot of people forget spouses and directors, etc all the time. Probably from the shock and nerves. He did go back to the stage and thank them but that was after they cut to a commercial.
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The Academy president is a black woman and she has given lip service to making sure the membership make up is more diverse- age, race, gender. We'll see what happens next year. If anything it's a shame that the Academy now allows 10 movies for Best Movie and they only nominated 8. The purpose of creating the extra five slots was to recognize fantasy films and commercial successful films. Well, hello Creed?!
@Autumnmama79: I want to see Chris Rock host and take as many jabs at the process and celebs as he can fit in the telecast. I bet many of the presenters will still be minorities- black, Latino etc just like years past. Some of the most popular celebs are people of color and they get invited to present and walk the red carpet to boost ratings, but they don't get nominated.
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@mrsjazz: aww see he quickly rebounded!
The small screen this year was momentous for black women. Both leading actress in drama for Emmys and Golden Globes this past year are Oscars nominated actresses. Viola Davis for Doubt and Taraji P Henson for Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
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@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Ricky Gervais had similar advice, ha.
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@sarac: I was literally getting ready to say this same thing.
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If this essay by Chris Rock is any indicator of how he feels about Hollywood this year's Oscars may be one for the record books.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/top-five-filmmaker-chris-rock-753223
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@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Thanks for posting that! It was a really interesting read and I agree with his points. I watch the Oscars every year, but I am very interested in what will happen this year!
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