Actor Joaquin Phoenix has called out "systemic racism" in the film industry in a searing awards acceptance speech in London.
As he won the award for Leading Actor on Sunday for his role in the film Joker at the Bafta Film Awards 2020, the 45-year-old received a round of applause at the Royal Albert Hall from an audience that included members of the British royal family.
The event was already heavily criticised for lacking diversity in the nominations.
More:
As he accepted the award, for which all five nominees were white, Phoenix said he felt honoured.
"But I also feel conflicted," he said, sending the hall into a stunned silence. "So many of my fellow actors that are deserving don't have that same privilege.
"I think we are sending a very clear message to people of colour that you're not welcome here. That's the message we are sending to people who have contributed so much to our medium and our industry in ways that we have benefitted from.
"I don't think anybody wants a handout or preferential treatment, although that's what we give ourselves every year."
All 20 nominees in the BAFTA awards' acting categories were white.
"I think people just want to be acknowledged, appreciated and respected for their work," said Phoenix.
Joaquin Phoenix accepts his Leading Actor award for his performance in @jokermovie #EEBAFTAs #BAFTAs pic.twitter.com/1nK49CjrJo
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 2, 2020
"This is not a self-righteous condemnation, because I am ashamed to say that I am part of the problem. I have not done everything in my power to ensure that the sets I work on are inclusive.
"But I think it's more than just having sets that are multicultural. We have to really do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism.
"I think that it is the obligation of the people that have created and perpetuate and benefit from a system of oppression to be the ones who dismantle it - so that's on us."
Other film and music awards events, such as the Golden Globes, Oscars and Grammys, have also recently come under renewed criticism for failing to include ethnic minority artists and industry workers. A lack of female nominees in some categories has also drawn ire.
i appreciate what mr phoenix said greatly cos white people speaking on behalf of the rest of us is effective but before you lot get too excited, i would also like to remind everyone people of colour, black people especially, have been saying this for literally decades. pic.twitter.com/fVhsfL4lZV
— Daniellé DASH (@DanielleDASH) February 2, 2020
Lulu Wang, a writer and director who was at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday, tweeted after Phoenix's speech: "An uncomfortable silence filled the hall for a long noticeable moment. Thank you Joaquin."
David Schneider, a British actor, writer and director, said: "Spot on from Joaquin Phoenix. Bafta members - of which I'm one - need to take a long, hard look at ourselves."
Sharmaine Lovegrove, a publisher, wrote on Twitter: "I hope that everyone working in the European and British creative industry sectors takes a few moments to watch this when they get to their office, then look around & see so few POC & think about their demonstrative contribution to change for good."
Others, however, said minorities have been making the same point as Phoenix for a while but have been disregarded.
Later in the event, Prince William, the British Academy's president, also spoke about diversity.
"We are lucky to have incredible filmmakers, actors, producers, directors and technicians - men and women from all backgrounds and ethnicities enriching our lives through film," he said.
"Yet in 2020, and not for the first time in the last few years, we find ourselves talking again about the need to do more to ensure diversity in the sector and in the awards process - that simply cannot be right in this day and age."
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMid2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFsamF6ZWVyYS5jb20vbmV3cy8yMDIwLzAyL2JhZnRhcy1qb2FxdWluLXBob2VuaXgtYmxhc3RzLXN5c3RlbWljLXJhY2lzbS1maWxtLWluZHVzdHJ5LTIwMDIwMzA5MDcyMzk1MC5odG1s0gF7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYWxqYXplZXJhLmNvbS9hbXAvbmV3cy8yMDIwLzAyL2JhZnRhcy1qb2FxdWluLXBob2VuaXgtYmxhc3RzLXN5c3RlbWljLXJhY2lzbS1maWxtLWluZHVzdHJ5LTIwMDIwMzA5MDcyMzk1MC5odG1s?oc=5
2020-02-03 10:26:00Z
52780584467717
Herpes is a serious and recurrent disease that cannot be cured by American doctors through medication or injections, but the best way to deal with herpes is to take medicinal plants for permanent treatment. I am here to appreciate Dr. James for his use. An herbal remedy for treating my herpes virus. I have been living with this virus for about 3 years and 6 months and it was a really serious problem for me, I was so confused that I was taking some medication for treatment but all my efforts were in vain, I sat down one morning via the internet and then saw some testimonials about That Dr James was treating people from the herpes virus / HIV and AIDS and I immediately contacted Dr. James at his email: drjamesherbalmix@gmail.com. I told him about my problems and he told me he needed to be cured. He gave me instructions and what I followed correctly, so he prepared a herbal remedy and sent me what I had used for three weeks and was cured. Everything was a dream for me and my herpes disappeared forever. Thank you Dr. James and maybe you have more strength and wisdom to heal more. I don't know if there is a person who is infected with the herpes virus, or any kind of disease, LIKE ... Diabetes, Cancer, HIV / AIDS, Herpes, Hepatitis A&B, Cardiac Diseases, Chronic Diseases, Jaundice, Epilepsy, Lupus, Brain, Spinal Peat, eczema, kidney disease, ACME, posterior penile, dengue schizophrenia, Get in touch with Dr. James and relieve your illnesses because he is a very good and honest herbal doctor, he also known as the herbal root godfather. Contact him now by email: drjamesherbalmix@gmail.com whatsapp or call him at +2348152855846
BalasHapus