Yet that nation had, and continues to have many problems. The interaction with the native Aboriginal population is in many ways similar to the slavery issues that were found in America. Even to this day there are extreme racial conflicts between the 2 groups, though the distance to the rest of the world helps to ensure that most of this news is unseen.
It is perhaps because of this racially derisive past and present that an Austrailian film executive felt the need to claim this about Forest Whitaker
“Even if he wins the Oscar he's ugly, he's black and he's unbankable.”
Bollocks! Who the hell is this executive?
I realize that Australia, along with neighbor New Zealand, have gotten quite a bit of attention from Hollywood in recent years. I understand how they might see their importance growing with this greater influence. But that does not justify such comments.
Forest Whitaker is an acclaimed actor, director and producer. His credits include:
- Last King of Scotland – where he received an Oscar, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and BAFTA Awards
- Color of Money
- Bird – Cannes Film Festival Award and Golden Globe nomination
- Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai - an exceptional film that I recommend people see
- The Shield
- Fast Times at Ridgemont High
- Good Morning Viet Nam
- Platoon
- The Crying Game
- Prêt-à-Porter - National Board of Review Award for Best Acting by an Ensemble
- Panic Room
- The Great Debaters
- A Rage in Harlem
- Waiting to Exhale
I could go on as his career spans 26 years. In fact he will be working steadily into 2010, where he will be directing and acting in It's A Wonderful World about Louis Armstrong. There aren’t many actors that can be assured of leading roles 2 years in the future, and those that can are the best in the entertainment industry.
Somehow I think the fact that Whitaker is this successful, in all aspects of film, does not only make him bankable – it makes him one of a few actors that are bankable over decades.
To say that Whitaker is ugly is just a base, moronic, and unrealistic comment. It’s similar to the inane argument made by racists that people (usually implying Whites) will not go to see a film starring an actor/actress of a different color. The financial success of films by Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Samuel Jackson, Jamie Foxx, and Forest Whitaker to name but a few prove that to be absurd drivel.
Now the issue at hand was the upcoming movie Winged Creatures, directed by Australian director Rowan Woods. To the credit of Woods he fought to have Whitaker as the lead. He believed that the ability, look, quality, and bankability of Whitaker would be an asset to his film. And he would not budge on his choice of lead.
The Australian entertainment industry responded to this with a racially based slap-in-the-face. The initial budget of the film was $11 million, it was cut to $4.5 million. Who did the racists want? Al Pacino or Michael Douglas. Now I personally don’t think that Al Pacino was ever the most handsome leading man. And Michael Douglas is a good looking guy, but his age shows through these days. So the reality was that they just wanted a White face as lead.
To the credit of the director, Woods, he was able to fill out his cast – on a budget that was a pittance of the initial target – with actors of high quality. I have to believe that each of these actors had no problem with a Black man, and more importantly a quality actor who happens to be Black, as the lead. The other actors are:
Guy Pearce, Kate Beckinsale, Dakota Fanning, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Jennifer Hudson
Racism is a despicable thing in any nation or part of the world. It is usually based in unfounded, illogical, small-minded, envious, mindsets. It is the reason that so many are persecuted by so few. It is the worst image of any group of people.
Again I note that the Australians I have met have been great people. The director of Winged Creatures helps to show that not every Australian is the closed-minded, repugnant, imbecilic racists that seem to populate their entertainment industry (and more than just a few in Hollywood too).
But I think that future directors should think twice before going to Australia for a film. Because if the film has anyone that is Black it seems they will shun the film. And in an industry that is supposed to represent the boundless depth of the human imagination, this repressed limited and potentially psychologically damaged view is a cancer that sours the best of work.
**I want to thank the owner of 1800blogger for bringing this to my attention, and D.C. Moviegirl for speaking on this**
2 comments:
Who are you?...And how did this pathetic site finds it's way into my web search.
So an Australian Film Exec made a racist comment?..
If someone shouted out a racist remark at a rally foor Barack Obama, would we Australians think all Americans racist?
OF COURSE NOT!
And please don't compare our history to yours. We never shipped people half way around the world to be slaves.
Maybe you should get of your backside , jump on a plane and come a see a bit of the world that you comment on.
It will do you good. And, give you something you sadly lack...KNOWLEDGE.
I love the anonymous comments.
In order, first I am Michael Vass. My bio is available via all of my sites, but suffice to say I am President of M V Consulting and am a blog writer at over 100 blogs.
Now I take the fact that this post did not kiss the ass of the Australian movie industry is what prompted you thoughts of displeasure. You really aren’t clear. But the reason you found my site is that it is one of the leading blogs on entertainment, especially with an emphasis on race relations in the media, in the world. This blog is in the top .1% of all blogs in the world. So it’s not odd for you to find it.
Now as for the racism. Let’s note that you did not argue the past of Australia. Let’s also note that you do not argue the race tensions of the current day. These are truths as passed onto the rest of the world via media from Australia, which does not reflect all Australians. And if you actually read what I said in the post you would have realized that.
But don’t pretend that Australia does not have its own racial problems. The thoughts of a movie executive that is capable of shaping what the public sees and how, is an important issue especially when they are making racial suggestions.
And while you are right that slaves were not brought to Australia, let’s remember history. They weren’t brought there because Australia was a penal colony, and thus did not deserve such luxury (as it was seen at the time). But that did not stop the abuses of the Aborigine people that were already there. America shipped in slaves and killed Native Indians, Australia just abused the people already there. Neither history is a shining moment for our countries. And those that continue to live under those misguided thoughts should be exposed and reprimanded.
Lastly, you seem to think me an uneducated American. Obviously you did not understand the message I conveyed in this post, nor have you read the hundreds of posts I have made on other topics. It is the culmination of my work that has garnered tens of thousands of visitors every month from 125 countries each month. Considering those numbers, by the time you made this comment enough people to fill a large town or small city, anywhere in the world, have seen my site. Of all those people, and more than a few in Australia, you are the only one to have missed the point or to think my comments to be uninformed. I stand by the numbers and the intent of the post.
Post a Comment