Last week’sOscar nominationswere more controversial than ever this year, since, for the second year in a row, no African-American actor or actress was nominated. This lead to stars such asWill Smith,Jada Pinkett Smithand filmmakerSpike Leeto boycott the awards ceremony, with Oscar nomineeMark Ruffalorevealing this week that he’s mulling the possibility of shunning the ceremony as well. Another Oscar nominee, 45 Years starCharlotte Rampling, had a much different take on this hot-button topic, revealing in an interview with French radio networkEurope 1that the controversy is actually racist to white people.
“It is racist to whites. You never know if it was really the case. But perhaps the black players do not deserve to be in the final stretch. Why classify people? These days everyone is more or less accepted … People will always say: ‘Him, he’s less handsome’; ‘Him, he’s too black’; ‘He is too white’ … someone will always be saying ‘You are too’ [this or that] … But do we have to take from this that there should be lots of minorities everywhere?”
When the interviewer explained to the actress that the black community in the film industry feels like a minority, she simply replied “No comment.” Her stance is quite different from many other prominent Hollywood figures, with other stars such asGeorge Clooney,Viola Davis,Reese WitherspoonandWhoopi Goldbergcalling forThe Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciencesto make some serious changes. While promoting his new filmYouth,Michael Cainealso chimed in on the controversy, stating that you can’t vote for an actor simply because he or she is black.
There are loads of black actors. I think in the end you can’t vote for an actor (just) because he’s black. You can’t say: I’m going to vote for him, he’s not very good but he’s black, (so) I’ll vote for him. You’ve got to give a good performance."
The actor also added that he thoughtIdris Elba’s performance inNetflix’sBeasts of No Nationwas “wonderful,” before the interviewer informed him that he was not nominated this year. He added that black actors should “be patient” and that it took him several years to get his Oscar. The actor has been nominated six times, winning twice for performances in Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules.
These statements fromCharlotte RamplingandMichael Cainecome just days after Academy presidentCheryl Boone-Isaacsissued a statement about thelack of diversityin this year’s nominations. Other African-American stars such asTyrese Gibsonand50 Centare asking forOscarhostChris Rockto step down and join theboycott. What do you think about the Oscar controversy? Chime in with your thoughts, and stay tuned for more updates.
