Now that autumn has arrived, the Oscar season is officially ramping up. We’ve already seen contenders at Sundance, Cannes, Telluride, Venice, Deauville and Toronto, plus we’ve got the New York and London Film Festivals yet to come in the next two months. So, Oscar races are shaping up and most critics already have their short-lists for who will probably get nominated for all of the big awards. There’s some good news and some bad news. The good news? Worthy, talented and consistently underrated actors will probably be big contenders. People like Julianne Moore, Amy Adams, Benedict Cumberbatch, Eddie Redmayne, JK Simmons, Keira Knightley and Patricia Arquette are some of the wonderful early contenders.
The bad news? Well, look at that list. It’s pretty white. Vulture posted a story yesterday headlined: “Will This Be the Whitest Oscars in Almost 2 Decades?” They were analyzing predictions compiled by the Gold Derby – go here to see the data. In every acting category, the potential nominees are profoundly white. The only exception I see is that some people think the film Selma – starring David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr. and produced by Brad Pitt – might get some heat. One other potential contender: Japanese singer/actor Miyavi, playing a villain in Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken. But that’s about it. A lot of critics thought Chadwick Boseman was amazing in Get On Up, but most doubt the performance will earn him an Oscar nomination.
So, does it matter? Of course it matters. Just weeks after Lupita Nyong’o won an Oscar for her first major film role, anonymous film producers were musing about whether her skin was too dark and whether anyone would buy her as a leading lady. And, as Vulture points out, most of the racially diverse Oscar nominees of the past few years are now doing television – think about Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Demian Bichir, Chiwetel Ejiofor, etc. There’s less drama about race in TV these days, and it’s easier for minority actors to get a safe, consistent and even professionally challenging gig in TV rather than hustle to play some racist trope in a Hollywood film.
I’m not planting a flag for tokenism, by the way. I’m not saying that every year, a certain number of minority actors needs to be nominated just because. I’m saying that Hollywood’s diversity problem is ridiculous and it will be a shame if only white actors are nominated this year. I mean, Channing Tatum is probably going to be nominated this year!! That’s what we’ve come to. Then again, Channing is a Potato-American. Diversity!
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Hollywood is such bullshit anyway. Why does anyone take it seriously? Are there segments of the population who are so thick as to believe this is an industry with any merit whatsoever?
True, but Hollywood influences perceptions of people and things.
Hollywood is a reflection of society and society is a reflection of Hollywood.
When celebs are given platforms as UN ambassadors, yes, people take them very seriously. It’s all about selling an image and, even more powerfully, an idea. How many have shared their rags to riches story, perpetuating the American Dream? How many say that if you just work hard, it will pay off if u keep believing? When the truth is that they just won the career lottery and/or made many compromises. Hollywood is an idea machine for this country. The idea that only white people are “classically beautiful,” celebrated and rewarded has such a long reach in the world. Look at the billion dollar skin lightening industry as a consequence of just that one idea. Yeah, they’re full of sh-t, but they’re stinking it up for everyone else.
considering how Hollywood influences society, it matters what they put out. Many of the big societal changes have come about because Hollywood got behind the idea [ or bandwagon if you will] and pushed it until it became the norm.
Entertainment is a reflection of society, so I think it does matter who is being represented and in what fashion.
As the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media points out, since 1946 women have consistently been represented at a 17% rate in group scenes in movies (although audiences assume they are equally represented), and that is also the same representation they have had in government and business leadership positions.
ITAWY assessment of Selma ( which will be released in limited in December) There are said to be some amazing performances in that film.. not to mention the Director is black as well. Miyavi role in Unbroken is not that big.. but it could be a supporting Oscar thing.
so it will be interesting to see how the academy reaches out to these movies or others that are out there. Just because the usual suspects are given the lead doesn’t mean it will remain that way. I just hope the Academy will continue branch out. But sad to say sometimes it looks like they fall back to what has always been.
One thing I have seen is that some of the films expected to be great are not living up to expectations.
David Oyelowo is 6th on the best actors list right behind Timothy Spall and my sceptical side says Spall is seen as a character actor nota leading man and this will probably work against him so David might be in with a chance. If the reviews are good he could be well in because it is the sort of bio the Oscars might go for.
Here’s where you can see how race matters in Hollywood. Let’s say that Selma lives up to the hype and Oyelowo is Oscar-worthy as MLK. Timothy Spall will *still* be the favorite. Nothing against Spall, he’s a great actor and is supposed to be very good in Mr. Turner, but there’s no denying he’ll have an advantage simply by being white. More Academy members will see Mr. Turner than will see Selma.
Unless and until there is race blind casting and people of color get to just play characters not just in movies about Civil Rights, or slavery this is just the way it’s going to be. I mean look at a movie like the Descendants not one Hawaiian had a speaking role in that film. In fact I can think of a few auteur directors that never bother to have anyone of color in their films it’s just sad.
+1
Yes it’s interesting how respected directors like Martin Scorsese, Francis Coppola, etc never get called to the carpet for not casting minority actors. So no good roles for minority always leads to no Oscar nominations. I’m tired of complaining about it. Let them have their fun all White party and don’t give them the ratings by finding another channel to watch. The ratings will be lower for this Oscar season I bet.
Agree with this. It seemed things were moving in the right direction in the year of Denzel Washington’s win, with him and Halle Berry receiving awards for parts that were not specifically tied to color, but there needs to be a lot more colorblind and genderblind casting to get some true diversity. Looking at casting sheets tells you everything.
The Oscars always had their token moments, like last year, then it whites only until the next token moment.
Chadwick Boseman and Nelsan Ellis were both good in Get on Up, but doubtful either will be nominated.
The arguments and complaints always seem to go a bit backwards though. The focus should not be the Oscars, the focus should be the industry. As much of a joke as the Oscars are I will say that normally where the nominations have lacked diversity is when the quality projects lacked diversity. That’s not the fault of the Oscars. Also, although the Oscars are ever more a PR joke can we at least pretend that these things are decided AFTER the movies come out? It’s getting ridiculous, the predictions come out in June!
Agreed. POC need to be given the opportunities to be in high quality roles like they can sometimes find on television, but let’s not completely absolve the Oscars. They had opportunities to nominate POC and have chosen not to on several occasions.
Agreed.
And the Oscars will change when the Academy’s membership becomes more diverse.
Yes..
we have to begin at the beginning . Writers, Casting, Directors.. all have to change. They need to start picking the best actor for a role regardless of color.
but that would take foresight.. I don’t know if that is possible.
@lisa2, yes, they do but since most of the membership consists of elderly white men, change will come slowly. Sad.
Yes. Every year it is brought up that the majority are older, white, males.
I agree as long as the majority of nominees are white, straight and male the Oscars will always reflect this position. The other issue is that Oscars and now the Baftas to some degree tend to opt for more mainstream films which are deemed for want of better words “serious drama” it will always narrow the selection.
I do not know how the voters are selected in the Oscars but in the Baftas you have to have been a past Bafta winner or nomination which means the age is always older and the diversity within the nominators is self fulfilling. In years gone by the Bafta’s were more edgy in their choices bit now they follow the PR route but with them looking towards main stream films the diversity is diminished.
@icerose, people who win or are nominated are considered for membership but it is no guarantee. Otherwise, an actor has to have had a scripted role in three films meeting the Academy’s highest standards, whatever that means, and must be sponsored by a member.
You know I agree about the BAFTAs, icerose!
I do think the selection pool for nominations is narrowed – in the case of the Oscars, by the money put in by the Weinsteins of the industry to campaigning; in the case of the BAFTAs with the aim of upping publicity by giving preference to household names and mainstream projects.
It’s not as though there isn’t quality in the independent, small budget scene. Or interesting storytelling by and about minorities. It’s there.
I wish I could remember who gave this interview last year, but whoever she was, she observed that Academy members are not only overwhelmingly white, male, and elderly, they also tend to not have the cash flow they once had, and so are easily won over by lavish gifts.
The awards goodie bag industry, campaign gifts from the Weinsteins, and expensive lunches with actresses wearing $800 shoes are a very, very big deal. Close your eyes and think of Bulgari. He who hits that sweet spot just right wins.
@Miss Jupitero, your post is spot on. I worked for two academy members and both of them were very conservative white males in their 70’s, both of which had considerably less income/assets than when they were actively working in the industry. The swag they were given was unreal.
Agreed with Lilac, Icerose, Sixer and Ms. Jupitero. I tend to follow smaller European and International film festivals with much more interest than Oscars – and take away more diverse films and new names.
@Miss Jupitero: It was French actress, Julie Delpy, who made that statement earlier this year.
ITA on this crazy predictions thing. How can anyone predict a movie, director, actor’s performance will be nominated if the movie, and in some cases the trailer, hasn’t even been released?! I mean on that list, some have Johnny Depp for best supporting actor for “Into the Woods”?!
It’s one thing to see a movie trailer and decide its “Oscar Bait” but it’s quite another to suddenly predict it will yield Oscar nominations. I think it actually sets an expectation for the film and actors that is unfair.
For example, everyone is expecting Jolie’s film to get nominations. But what pressure on a relatively new director and a group of relatively new actors. Unless she knocks this thing out of the park (which she very well may), all this Oscar hype might have critics holding the film to a much higher expectation. What pressure!
Is it actually the film’s producers themselves who push the award narrative early on, even before a film is released (regardless of whether the film will really be award worthy)? Then the PR builds, which leads to other lesser promoted films/actors (many times of color, diversity) being overlooked?
to answer your last paragraph, yes.
People can generally predict the oscars so early based on how “baity” the role is. Based on early reveiws, who the actor is or based on how how past nominations went.
This growing trend of predicting Oscar chances puts me off seeing these films. It’s nothing but industry members patting each other on the back. These journals and blogs hardly write real content anymore.
I agree that the problem of diversity in Hollywood (as in most places) is a ground-up problem that needs solving at every level of the industry. But the Oscars make a good lightning rod for the issue because it’s such a high profile event and it’s good shorthand. You can say to the public, “The Oscars lack diversity,” and use that as a jumping-off point to talk about diversity in Hollywood in general. I understand why this becomes the headline, even if the problem is much more widespread and endemic.
I agree. I think the big picture message here is that we need more diversity in movies, period.
2 steps forward
1 step backward
Channing Tatum is part Native-American so there’s that:) But it is ridiculous and I agree with the posters that the problem is the industry. And in some ways it’s not so bad if the choices are between no actors of color being nominated versus actors of color being nominated for playing maids, slaves, undocumented immigrants, etc, etc.
I was flipping through channels last night and Steve Martin’s movie “Bowfinger” was on. Funny enough, it was the scene in which Eddy Murphy’s character is talking to his agent about not being nominated for an Oscar:
“White boys always get the Oscar. It’s a known fact. Did I ever get a nomination? No! You know why? Because I hadn’t played any of them slave roles, and get my ass whipped. That’s how you get the nomination. A black dude who plays a slave that gets his ass whipped gets the nomination, a white guy who plays an idiot gets the Oscar. That’s what I need. I need to play a retarded slave, then I’ll get the Oscar.”
LMFAO!
Ouch.
lol. Loved that movie.
Ouch indeed. Don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
I remember television in the nineties being much more diverse. I was watching a lot of shows with primarily black casts, The Fresh Prince, Martin, Living Single, In Living Color.
It’s definitely about the industry as a whole.
My friend and I were JUST talking about this. It’s so odd how society is becoming more diverse, but television is not. Why is that?
Those shows started going off the air around the late 90s, no? My theory is that it was related to the movement against “political correctness” and affirmative action during that time.
At least it’s in part because shows like Fresh Prince and Family Matters followed in the wake of the Cosby Show. Success breeds success, and Cosby was so popular other networks and producers were willing to roll the dice on more minority-lead projects. Then in the mid-nineties, Friends and Seinfeld took over. Two super white shows about super white people having super white problems, and both shows that got away with barely even token diversity for *ten years* a piece. Suddenly the networks didn’t have to “cater” to diverse audiences because they had empirical data showing that shows about white people were crushing in every demographic. Then the Sopranos came along and did the same for the drama side, succeeding when the (superior) more diverse Wire was failing.
It always comes down to demographic analysis. The execs point to demos that show that a predominately white show succeeds in every demo, and use that as justification to not pursue diversity. The question they aren’t asking, though, is if those shows would be doing so well if there *was* a diverse option. What they can’t or won’t see is that those shows do well simply because there’s no competition, and ultimately people will watch what’s on.
I still watch Living Single every time it is on.
You can add Family Matters to the list as well.
I used to think the same thing, but I’ve noticed that there are lots of shows with black casts, they’re just on BET and OWN. When we do get some diversity on network television, it doesn’t seem to last. I’m interested in Black-ish with Anthony Anderson, but I don’t know that it will make it.
I thought it was very funny. It almost kept the lead-in numbers from Modern Family. Fingers crossed that this trend continues.
I liked it, too, but I liked it because it was funny and well written, not because it checked some imaginary box.
New Girl is pretty good about diversity. Yes 3 of the main characters are white. But we also have 2 black men and one indian girl.
Yeah, looking back my main influence tv shows growing up were all non-white leads. I never even noticed. It was never even a fleeting issue.
Theory is that 9/11 set us a back a couple of decades.
Oh yes! I was also thinking about this recently. Cosby Show, Fresh Prince, A Different World, Sister, Sister, Moesha. Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head… There was a good period in the 90’s when films had diverse casts too (Mo’ Money was a fav. of mine) and then all of a sudden, nothing.
It’s always been white. Any year there’s more diversity, it gets really white for about the next 7 years. C’est la vie.
Hollywood is no different than other aspects of American society in general. How many Fortune 500 companies have people of color as CEOs or on their Board of Directors. I would rather see that change than worry so much about Hollywood. Yes, it is visible, but only a microcosm of the US in general. It is all about who makes the decisions–producers, directors, heads of studios. The Oscars are chump change in comparison to other more important things in the world, but will not show diversity until the rest changes. they will, like others throw in one or two to make folks feel better–Tokenism is alive and well in all parts of the world, not just Hollywood. Though I would love to see the Director of Selma, an African American female nominated. She is very talented.
Why can’t we worry about both? Entertainment is a huge part of our culture.
True. But the overemphasis on entertainment is what I worry about. Yes, this is a gossip site and yes, KK and Kanye are always on it, which in and of itself is kind of sad. Why can’t the other more talented folks like Lupita and others get as much coverage? The Oscars are a lovely prize for a small community, but there should be shouting about other inequites as well, that’s all. We get this article, which is important, but the rest just get swept under the rug. I just think it needs to be kept in its proper perspective.
@Jen2
Great point. I totally agree.
Having lived in America until 2 years ago, I have heard/witnessed many white people who want a “pure” white America still, hence all the criticism about Obama (and not just on his policies, a lot of people loathe that we have a non-white president still). There are so many racial jokes within our culture too and many people never experience black or asian or other ethnic minorities groups in some areas of “white America” thus racism prevails. A lot of Americans don’t want to experience other cultures, why one’s cultures are being pushed out. I used to tell people I was x by heritage and they’d be like no you are American that is all. One cannot be proud of their heritage in America (again this is in some not all areas) because you are viewed as non-American. This goes from trying to speak another language (when there isn’t even an official language in the US) to adopting certain cultural practices. In addition, a large portion of Americans don’t even own passports and have no interest in experiencing anything outside the US, which some may have to do with financial reasons (they can’t afford one) but some has to do with they genuinely feel everything they want to see is in the US. That mentality breeds non-diversity in entertainment etc.
@Jen2,
They don’t get as much coverage because they are doing positive things. And while that’s great, it would be pretty boring.
” It is all about who makes the decisions–producers, directors, heads of studios.”
I strongly agree with this, and with your point about needing more diversity in CEOs and other positions of power. I think this applies not only to race, but gender as well.
I really don’t know what all the fuss is about, OScars and etc etc are the most boring events broadcast on TV.
I am really hoping Benedict sticks two-fingers up to it all, like Fassy and says I am too busy for all that stuff and gets on with his day-job. It’s just not an English thing to do, all this bum-kissing and campaigning.
It has nothing to do with the broadcast of the show. But everything to do with the quality of work that is given to certain a sector of actors based on their gender and/or ethnic background being reduced to play stereotypes in an industry that at times loves to say they are diverse and caring. When in fact, it is the opposite.
I wasn’t really commenting on the ethnic white washing of movies/tv. I get tired of the complaints to be honest. I know I sound mean and uncaring, I’m not. Just, it’s the same every year, not enough diversity. It is a problem and it needs addressing, but I don’t believe in hiring people by force to tick checkboxes. But, in Britain, theatre and acting isn’t top of black or asian community wish list of creative jobs to go into. Music, yes, acting not so much. I know Lenny Henry is campaigning hard to overcome this.
P’enny yes to the two fingers. There was a time when English actors were just not bothered re the Oscars but that seems to have changed. The whole campaign thing makes a mockery of the Oscars. Mind you it is only since more UK films and actors have ben included that I eve take an interest myself.
i love that fassy didn’t campaign in what is essentially an award for popularity, not talent (although once in a while the academy gets it right). but if you recall, he got A LOT of criticism for it, including on this site. damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
There is more to winning an Oscar than just having the prestige and the statuette.
Your pay grade (for anyone belonging to the American guilds, which I imagine even the non-American actors have to belong to work in the US on Oscar-type projects) immediately and forever goes up.
For writers, at least, it means your starting fee for working on scripts is $2 million.
That is a definite reason to put up with the ass-kissing and campaign nonsense.
what if you don’t want the pay raise? what if you’re in it for the work? not every actor wants lots of money. no one should be forced to campaign.
Blended, you can’t be serious about “doing it for the love of it”! Actors do a job, they do it for the money, like the rest of us. I am a teacher because I love teaching but I sure as hell take the pay check at the end of the month. And I also take part in work related activities that I don’t particularly enjoy, because it is linked to more money in one way or another. Just like everyone else. Why should white actors specifically, carry the can for something that is the fault of society in general? Go picket at the red carpet, write letters in industry publications. Do something about it yourself.
I think the collaborative nature of film needs to be taken into account when you think about actors not campaigning. Fassy wouldn’t be campaigning for just him, but for every single person working on that film too. It makes a difference; these are essentially industry awards.
Just like you should never dismiss a film you worked on, no matter how bad, because hundreds of people worked on that film. The directing may have sucked, the script may have sucked, but the editor or the art director or the lighting guys, they may have done their best work!
If you’re nominated for an oscar, and you don’t go out and campaign, then I think it feels like a massive two-fingers up to everyone else who worked really hard on that film. They may not be nominated, but in a sense they are if they can say they worked on an oscar-winning film.
Here’s the thing – not the actors’ fault (which I suspect we all know). The Academy? Yeah, them. They just continue to become increasing irrelevant,
It’s also that non-white actors and showrunners are held to a higher standard than their white counterparts. Actors like Sandra Oh, Lupita Nyong’o and Chadwick Boseman can win Oscars and/or consistently do good work but get overshadowed by less talented white actors and often have to struggle to get decent roles.
if non whites get less good roles they will also get less nominations. so its not an Oscar problem and i think its wrong to blame the Oscar for the casting choices.
Don’t knock Channing Tatum! I think he’s pretty awesome. And if he deserves his nod, then he deserves it.
I agree Gee. He’s creating an impressive CV. Comedies, romance, action and now a heavy dramatic role. Well done.
No to potatoes. That is all.
http://fakeplus.com/pictures/jpg/-haters-gonna-hate-potatoes-gonna_20120614013937.jpg
Alright, let me clarify, no to human potatoes.
The prejudice towards Human Potatoes. I bet he will become the new generation of Hollywood power player.
The “Whitest Oscars” is every ceremony. Even when they do pat themselves on the back for diversity there are still only maybe 2 or 3 people of color compared to the tons of white people nominated. It’ll never change. At least not in my lifetime.
When have the Oscars ever been diverse?
The Oscars are not really a valid indicator of who are the best actors with the best performances… In fact, I would say they are pretty much a joke.
Alsoooo, I think I will puke in my mouth a little bit if Laura Jeanne Poon gets an oscar nod this year. I cannot stand her. Ugh.
@Nessa with a few exceptions I agree. There are so many great performances/films which will never be nominated because either they are not mainstream enough or do not have powerful wealthy men/studios backing them
Steve Carell is a lock to win an Oscar and I haven’t even seen his performance yet. But in my gut of guts I know.
I don’t really like making race arguments because they always end badly. But I can’t help but notice that during the 90s and early 2000s there was a significant rise in People of color with significant roles in movies (even women too). It wasn’t an impressive amount but still very noticeable. Up to the point where Disney finally had the first black princess in Princess and the Frog (which I thought was way better than Frozen). Then all of a sudden it just got worse. Yeah there are still POC getting roles, but not nearly as much as they used too. And Hollywood movies just got whiter.
What happened?
Did people get uncomfortable with seeing color on screen?
Were diverse movies not making enough money?
Or was it because people constantly kept screaming ‘racism’ and ‘whitewashing’ every chance they got, and Hollywood went like “screw this”?
I don’t think it was the quality of acting for people of color that was low, because there are a ton of crappy white actors who keep getting roles. And I know people don’t respond well with POC portrayed in a negative way, so directors avoid it.
I don’t really judge people by the color of their skin, but only by the quality of their work. And yeah it gets really annoying whenever people making racist remarks against non-white actors, but it’s equally annoying when people cry “That’s racist” argument every 30 seconds (even when there’s no real racism)
Eh, I’m a conspiracy theorist and I believe Hollywood made a *choice* to end the gravy train that was 90s golden years for black people in television and film.
The fact that things were going so good was precisely why it had to end.
I had white friends who identified with the Laura Winslows and Denise Huxtables and never thought about the color of the characters skin.
Sometimes I feel media drums up the race issue and highlight the differences instead of the things we all have in common (which is more) just to keep the divide going.
Qualify real racism, though. Racism isn’t just the Klan and cross burnings. It’s exclusion or unnatural challenges shown towards others for their skin color. Omitting actors/actresses of colors from quality roles, or ignoring the good roles that are superior to those nominated, is a act of racism. Many of these movies are forgettable, and their performances tend to lack. But, we’re supposed to find them better because a committee of the same mindset deems them as so.
That’s a problem. People face racism, overt and covert, racism on a daily basis. Telling them what constitutes as “real racism” is simply ridiculous, and it kicks those surviving it in the gut every time. Entertainment is no different.
I think it had a lot to do with the fact that during the 90’s, it paid. Fresh Prince set a standard that Hollywood followed purely because Fresh Prince was popular and so they decided to capitalise on that.
Terry McMillan, who wrote the novel ‘Waiting to Exhale’ (for which the film was based) made a comment somewhere where she spoke about how publishers were taken back by the popularity of her book and rushed to find other African American female writers to publish similar. Not because all of a sudden the publishing industry went all equal-opps, not because they wanted to hear what the writers had to say, it was all on the back of the popularity of Waiting to Exhale.
So, I think, back to Fresh Prince. When that went, then the popularity dwindled and they probably just thought that POC actors are no longer popular, therefore unless its Will Smith they won’t make POC films.
I dont have an issues with the whitewashing of movies and television. White people will be the minority in about 30 years so let them go out in a blaze of glory!
Not really though.
Remember when jews (ashkenazi), italians and irish weren’t considered ‘white’ in America? Yeah, and look how far we’ve come with those racial classifications.
They’ll just broaden the definition of ‘white’ like they’ve always done when numbers have dwindled.
Well they can only broaden it for so long until there’s just no point in using the term ‘white’ anymore. I mean the definition of ‘black’ is limited only to people of African descent and our numbers haven’t dwindled or increased much.
Selma has been getting rave reviews from the 5 minute sneak peek they had for critics and they are giving indications that David Oyelowo could be up for best actor. Then again, it’s just a 5 minute clip so that will still remain as a weak prediction.
I was one of the few people who appreciate the movie 12 years a slave and thought it truly deserved the best picture win but I had the feeling that the Oscar voters where in tremendous amount of pressure to let this movie win because of the so called “overdue for a black movie to win an Oscar” and I don’t mean to say that in a rude way, kinda like these other actors who are “overdue” for the win kind of way so I am afraid that since it’s been done (slave movie won) the pressure is out and they can vote for the white film they actually love to win. Selma could be a great film but the chances of it winning the Oscars right after the 12 years a slave win is really slim in my opinion.
As I said yesterday, if the Academy want to eliminate the racial divide they need to get rid of the Best Foreign Film category and nominate the best non English speaking films in the Best Film category. They could also start nominating more of the actors from those films for acting awards too.
This is the very reason I don’t go to the movies at all anymore. Maybe once a year. I refuse to pay money for Whitewood. The lack of diversity is getting worse. POC are not even in the backgrounds anymore. Every tv host, news anchor, movie actor, secondary character is white. Even tv characters that are black are always put with a white love interest to take away from the “nastiness” that is color (according to Whitewood).
I have to be honest about this, there’s not a chance in hell that black actors and actress will never be taken seriously for any films except if there’s atrocities in our culture and welfare, from slavery to civil rights. He’ll, I wouldn’t be surprise, it there’s a movies about our current situation with police, or vigilante shoots our young black men and women dead cold and gets away for its, and white people will feel pity on us and of course oscar will take this in consideration to save a face.
I applaud films that black people puts out, but I am tired of civil rights and slavery films. But I understand why black actors are complaining. But, I will say this. Why does a bog barks and no one is the look out, when you can just do something about it.
I agree with Viola Davis, although she didn’t say it in exact word, I take this very well and I’d if you can’t anyone to do it for you should do it yourself. Black directors, actors , actress or anyone who are in the entertainment industry should make it themselves.
Whoopi Goldberg won an Oscar for playing a goofy psychic. Denzel Washington won for playing a crooked cop. Morgan Freeman won for playing a boxing trainer. Forrest Whitaker won for playing a dictator. Louis Gossett Jr. won for playing a a guy in the military. Gossett also got a Golden globe nomination for playing Anwar Sadat. Black actors are being nominated and winning for playing roles that have nothing to do with slavery or civil rights.
Yes, but its so far and few between.
Some of the commenters here don’t even watch many movies. They just read gossips and thought they know the industry.
Yeah, a couple weeks ago I was making my early prediction list and noticed how white it seemed as as well. And besides Angelina Jolie possibly getting a nom for Unbroken, I also noticed how male dominated most of the categories would be too.
On another note, I seriously hope Channing does NOT get nominated. But the BSA seems quite busy so I think theres a good chance he will get bumped out. I mean there is his co-star Mark Ruffalo, NPH, JK Simmons, Edward Norton etc.
If Tatum delivers in the movie then why can’t he get the nom? It’s based on performance right? Ruffalo’s role is a supporting character so he’s competing in a different category. There is not nomination competition between them.
I didnt realize Channing was “Lead”. Which is even more crowded at this point at supporting, so his chances are even more slim.
And honestly I have not seen ONE thing where Channing was good. Not even amazing…just plain good. He cannot act for the life of him. If he delivers an oscar worthy performance then its a sure sign of the apocalypse coming.
Yes you should definitely start stocking up for the upcoming apocalypse then.
@MARIANNE what an ignorant comment. people say that about Brad Pitt long time ago, then where is he right now?
I’m allowed to have the opinion that he is an awful actor. I honestly have not seen one thing where he was good in it. Does he time to get better? Sure, but I’m doubtful he went from horrible to amazing all in one movie. I dont think Jonah Hill deserved either of his nominations either. I think he got in mainly because of who he made friends with.
Soooooo…….whatevvvvaaaaaa…
Marianne, I’ve seen the film and let me tell you Channing REALLY DESERVED the Oscar nom -Even with people laughing-. Even critics and bloggers said that. Sorry, but your comment is just a terrible preconception with lack of real value for a movie that perhaps you didn’t saw.
“Then again, Channing is a Potato-American. Diversity!”
This made me LOL
I don’t see why black people should be any different from women. The world is run by white men. They have the money and power.
In America, how many women CEO’s or politicians are there?? Women have to start their own companies to make a difference. They have to make their own movies to make a difference. The movies that get made are the ones that are most likely to be a financial success. Women make far more money starting their own businesses than waiting around on men to give them equal pay.
It’s actually not that different for women. The Good Ole Boys of Hollywood are often very old, conservative, white, and male and they tend to promote movies ‘made in their own image’ (they do make allowances for age in men).
The problem is everything is run by money and indies don’t garner the same acclaim or money as what old-school Hollywood likes. So often those projects gather dust…
Just want to say I’m glad to see you back, LadySlippers! Hope you’re doing fine!
Hollywood is white american! why they dont look at other countrys? americans do great entertainment movies but the most oscar winners (Witherspoon, H.Berry) are not as good as many european actors for example. You should all watch more french movies 😉 im not french but i love them!
LOL @ Hanuta. I watch a lot of British movies. They are often small budget films and they have plots and character development. It is a nice change from most Hollywood blockbusters. I watch French films also. 🙂
@UKBound, I love British movies as well 🙂 But i also love great american Movies like Thor or these kind of movies. No one does this better then Americans 🙂
Did you see ” a second wind ” from Philippe Pozzo di Borgo ?? One of the best movies in 2011 or “Le placard / The Closet” from 2001 with Gerard Depardieu ? These movies and actors deserve Oscars, not Reese Witherspoon 😉 i saw that movie she won an oscar for, she was ok but not Oscar worth.
@Hanuta, I just found The Closet on Netflix streaming, I have added it. I did not find second wind or the Philippe Pozzo di Borgo guy. I look forward to seeing the closet. I think it is hard to say what is worth an Oscar, because it also depends on if you liked the movie. The actors have no control over many things.
To UKBound,
you should be able to find this film easily. Called ‘Les Intouchables’ in French, it won as oscar for best foreign film, I’m pretty sure. A great watch.
No Lulu, “The Intouchables” wasn’t nominated to the Oscars. That year won “Amour”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_submissions_to_the_85th_Academy_Awards_for_Best_Foreign_Language_Film
Well, considering that just about all movies that have nominations are from the US, and the academy’s bias torwards historical dramas for noms, we have 2 things:
– If they’re set in historic europe: white population. The non-white population only significantly increased after WW2. And the few around before then weren’t exactly well-off, even if/when they weren’t slaves.
-if they’re set in the US: just as bad, if not worse, since it will no doubt involve slavery. Cue in the “slave” role as a part of the stereotype.
Sure, there are contemporary dramas, but …. that’s about non-white’s chances for an Oscar nom. And even so: see Precious. Again, about exploitation. I can’t think of a single drama where a black person isn’t being exploited in some way. So, again: slave or exploited in some way.
None of this helps to break the stereotype.
“I can’t think of a single drama where a black person isn’t being exploited in some way”
Perhaps the fact that the Oscars are too top heavy with dramas is also part of the problem. Not everything has to be a freaking drama. Perhaps the academy should also start nominating a more diverse range of genres.
Agreed. In addition, this Oscar typecasting produces a degree of backlash for the films. I’ve noticed how those reviewers of The Imitation Game who were not swept off their feet by the film would repeatedly – and with a negative connotation – invoke its Oscar-baityness. I’m wondering if the Academy is aware of it, if it gives a damn at all, and if it does – what it intends to do about it.
Backlash indeed. I remember one critic describing The Piano as holocaust by numbers.
I think the Pianist is A wonderful film. I thought 12 years a slave was moving. However, I don’t buy in to the suggestion that white people should feel guily watching it as if we are all implicated. We aren’t, any more than young Germans are responsible for The holocaust. There are enough horrible things taking place today that we should be influencing without feeling retrospective guilt. Moved yes, guilty no, and let’s try and stop injustice today instead.
Ah The Pianist. Had the title mixed up with the Jane Campion film.
rich succssesfull american actors celebrating themselfs with Awards are riciulous. Award Shows are a big Marketing Machine for this Industry. They dont care who wins. You can see this with lots of Oscar or Globe winners who cant get a good movie role.
Jennifer Aniston was never nominated for her work but she earns more money and more movie roles then the most winners. So? Who cares. Look at Kathrine Heigl, she had the opurtunity to become the next Aniston or Bullock but she ruined it by herself. Not because she was a great Actress, but because she had charm, good looks and was in a very sucsessfull tv-show. She was the next american sweet heart. That was her Card to Hollywood. People saw something in her. If she were smart, she would make tons of money and movies without ever getting an Award Nomination. But she would still be A-List. Lots of Medias consider Aniston as A-List even though her work is far away from A-List. See, who needs an Oscar.
Well they totally should give at least 2 charity spots for black actors. It doesn’t matter that there are no real good performances. They totally should give.
And you think that will solve the problem? Giving people *reason* to say that actors of colour get token awards? And what exactly do you suggest the criteria be? Non-whiteness? Number of performances? How many dogs they own? Maybe draw random names out of a hat on the night?
Sometimes all of this feels cyclical. This year may be sparse in the diversity department. Next year it may not be. It depends on what got greenlit this year due to this year’s awards and is currently in the production pipeline that we won’t see for at least a year yet.
I usually feel that the awards are given to movies that make a statement that the Hollywood elite want to spread. They make movies espousing their viewpoint and often try to shove it down your throat, under the guise of enlightening you. They try to make you feel that you are a bigot if you disagree with their agenda. Or even if you just don’t like the movie.
I hated that 12 years a slave movie. I thought it was violence porn. It was all about torture and abuse, a constant stream of it, with little plot. It was also not historically accurate. It was degrading in every way to elicit a response, not to tell a story.
How was it not historically accurate?
It’s an autobiography. How is it not historically accurate?
If you don’t like the message don’t see the film. It is really that simple.
No one is forcing you to drive, walk, take the subway, ride your bike (whatever mode of transportation you prefer) to a movie theater, buy a ticket and sit through a movie you don’t like.
Hollywood is about making money, if you don’t like what they are producing, DON’T GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY. If you don’t like their product, then make your own.
The book was written to sensationalize the story and support the anti-slavery movement. The more lurid it was, the better it would sell and the better it would help the cause. In addition, the movie was not completely true to the book.
The movie was more like a horror movie to me than a movie that would enlighten or inform me about the topic. It was sensationalism at its worst.
@allheavens, arguments of the “if you don’t like something – do it yourself” type always make me cringe. A person doesn’t need to be able to make films in order to have an opinion on them. Also, I take it that in order to form her opinion on 12 Years a Slave, UKBound had to watch it, no?
Personally, I like McQueen films, he doesn’t hesitate to use violence on screen (Armond White has A LOT to say on the topic lol), but it doesn’t look contrived to me4 plus violence in his films also feels more “dry” than “juicy”. But I understand when somebody has a strong reaction to 12 Years.