The Oscars furoure.

No black actors nominated for the 2nd year running.
I’m no film buff or diversity officer.
A case of no black actors good enough this year?
Casual racism?
Set up a black Oscars?
Kick up a fuss and get black actors nominated next year whether they’re good enough or not?
Can of worms?

Alright unfitgeezer? 🙂

Are there any chinese or asian actors? If not I’m going to complain . Depends on the actors nominated and the films they were involved with. Poitisitve discrimination.. I dont think so unless you include all ethnic groups

I’m not a film fan so I’ve not read the details of the fuss, but unless those kicking off have put forward a list of black actors/directors etc who deserved to be nominated and were overlooked, it seems it’s a pointless debate to just argue that there should have been some black nominations because there should have been some black nominations.

If “x” wasn’t nominated for their performance in “y”, and some independent critics agree, then there is a valid argument that there is some conscious or unconscious bias or racism. If the independent critics say ” actually he wasn’t as good as “a” who happens to be white”, then you risk tokenism and devaluing both the awards and the quest for true equality.

More diversity in roles will give more chance of awards, possibly an issue there. Article on BBC yesterday about this, the next Nancy Drew will not be white as a deliberate casting policy.

unless those kicking off have put forward a list of black actors/directors etc who deserved to be nominated

as you say later on, the issue is a seen as a systemic one rather than just ‘so and so did a great job but didn’t get nominated’.

Wasn’t Leonardo complaining that he doesn’t/hasn’t got the awards he’s deserved. Scrap the whole thing.
Does casting reflect racial diversity? If not, start there.

This has become a sensitive issue of late, understandably so. Whilst I can see the rational for #OscarSoWhite the Best director was won by a Mexican last year and he’s nominated again this year and very likely to win so the academy can point to diversity there. Maybe the performances just aren’t good enough again this year.

I like film more than politics so for that reason ah’m oot.

Isn’t the Oscars thing corrupt like cycling, athletics, tennis and just about everything else in life?

Complaining about a lack of nominations seems to be blaming the wrong problem. It stems more from a systematic bias in the casting, primarily white males in the key roles (and yes I’m sure if you really want to argue you can find a list of minority actors) which means that the pool to select from is skewed and leads to an unbalanced shortlist.

People expecting the film industry to be a beacon of fairness and social justice may end up disappointed.

The Academy occasionally manages a bit of sentimental wallowing, but I’m not sure it means an awful lot in equality terms. The same people are still taking home the money, whether it’s from Birdman, The Revenant or 12 Years a Slave.

And it’s not a problem of casting, the problem is that Hollywood presents itself as representative of all sections of society, but this is an illusion, and the only things that decide what films get made, and whether the lead is black or white is the likelihood of that film finding a profitable audience.

Probably the breakthrough role of the year was John Boyega, a charismatic co-lead in a genuine blockbuster movie.

The ‘racism’ in the industry is not at the oscars, it’s at the casting and film production end, just as is the ‘sexism’. It’s chicken and the egg. The film makers wont risk movies by deviating from the good old formula’s they know works no matter how outdated they are. The Oscars can only judge on the films around them, so if their option is not very diverse, then you’re less likely to get nominees from a variety of cultures/races.

FOBO awards…. Like the MOBO awards, but for film?

I find the whole MOBO thing quite offensive.

isn’t one of the problems that the academy is mostly made up of previous winners perpetuating the lack of diversity in people who do the voting/nominating.

I’m a MAWCB so what do I care.

The only point I would make is:
Is the film any good?
Are the actors any good?
Is the subject matter of the film any good?

Tick any two and yer’ in aren’t you? Race and Gender are irrelevant IMO.

I don’t think a MOWO awards would ever be tolerated

I find the whole MOBO thing quite offensive.

You can be white and nominated for a MOBO, the clue is in “Origin”. It’s an awards ceremony for Hop-Hop, Rap, R&B, etc. No different to Karrang*, Classic FM awards** etc.

Past winners, Eminem, Plan B, Pro Green, etc etc.

*Music of Angry White Origin
**Music of Dead White Origin

I don’t think a MOWO awards would ever be tolerated

Well it’s very difficult to say for a start.

you cant scrap the oscars, that would be the end on screener season!!

RaveyDavey – Member
I don’t think a MOWO awards would ever be tolerated

BBC Radio 2 Folk Music Awards…

MOBO too recognise the achievements in the field of music with a black origin – not music by black people.

People seem to forget all too easily that there is still a pervasive white, European narrative supporting what is judged as culturally valuable. Movements and events like MOBO help to change that and create an alternative dialogue. If you even see society at a slight angle – which my own ethnic origin helps, you can perceive the inbuilt, institutionalised, unthinking and and actually often unintended prejudice that society and it’s institutions has.

It’s an awards ceremony for Hop-Hop

Down with the kids there tinas.

‘m not a film fan so I’ve not read the details of the fuss,

Dont let not having a grasp of the issue or even bothering to read up stop you from posting multiple paragraphs on the issue

See the lists for other awards see the oscars list

Look at the amount of black actors look at the number of winners

Either white people are the best or there is some institutional racism at work within the industry/voters.

Down with the kids there tinas.

Could be worse, I originally wrote Hip-Hop-Hop-

Not everything is racism, sometimes people just aren’t good enough. White people have been shit too.

There are no Japanese actors nominated either, so, you know

Maybe 60-65% of the US population has a predominantly white, European background.

How many Oscar nominees are not from a pre-dominantly white, European background? If it is not near 35-40% there is a fair chance the reason is prejudice in terms of opportunity, rather than a disparity between races in talent etc…

I find the whole MOBO thing quite offensive.

(((((allpin)))))

The current No 1 at the US box Office is Ride Along 2 yet Ice Cube isn’t even nominated, a travesty.

Either white people are the best or there is some institutional racism at work within the industry/voters.

Just because there is a lack of diversity in an industry doesn’t necessarily mean it’s institutionally racist (or sexist, or whatever). There might be other issues in wider society contributing to that.

If the actors/actress are shite then no matter what skin colours they have they are shite.

Also there are many good movies/films coming from all over the world then just the boring Merican stuff.

Was watching the Norwegian and Korean films for the last two nights very good …

isn’t one of the problems that the academy is mostly made up of previous winners perpetuating the lack of diversity in people who do the voting/nominating.

I believe that all nominees, not just winners, are invited to join the academy, so yes, if they’re all white..

I don’t think a MOWO awards would ever be tolerated

Only because the name sounds stupid. Call it something easier to get your mouth around, like say “the Brits” ,and we’re good to go.

<cue someone posting “but this and that black people won Brits so….” in typical point missing fashion”>

People seem to forget all too easily that there is still a pervasive white, European narrative supporting what is judged as culturally valuable

Ain’t that the truth… this was a case study from the pre-download era when people still bought their music in record shops so doubtless no longer valid but…. it used to be the case that the biggest selling records in this country were what I would characterise in my culturally ignorant way as “Bollywood style” – if you’ve ever spent any time in an Indian restaurant or minicab office you probably know what I’m on about.

BUT this music was sold primarily in “specialist” shops serving that particular market. And, crucially, not ones that were included by Gallup or whoever it was that compiled the “pop chart” – so when you listened to Bruno Brookes on a Sunday evening and he told you that Duran Duran were at number one with the “biggest selling single of the week” what he should actually have said was more along the lines of “this is the biggest selling single of the week promoted by the white industry establishment, and not including the several higher selling singles of the week that are only brought by brown skinned people who don’t go to Our Price”

The MOBOs isn’t perfect as a concept, but I’d challenge the knockers to propose an alternative that can not only tackle the issue of inequality head on, but also do it in a positive, celebratory way.

<RANT>

The MOBOs isn’t perfect as a concept, but I’d challenge the knockers to propose an alternative that can not only tackle the issue of inequality head on, but also do it in a positive, celebratory way.

Why is it that people like to be labelled as a colour. As far as I can see Black doesnt cover any other ethnic groups and discriminates against any other ethnic groups and therefore fundamentally racist.
Stop assuming that only the colour black is discriminated against and deserve equality . The world is a big place full of colour not just black and white.

MOWWO – Music of worldwide origin </RANT>

Different interpretations, some use “black” to mean specifically African Caribbean or African origin, some to mean “not white” and I agree it’s potentially problematic, but alternatives tend to be clunky, such as “BME” or “BAME”.

Where I think we’re going next with this is to copy the American formulation of describing non-white people as being “of colour” – I’ve heard it a few times recently and I think it might catch on.

unfortunately people get upset at being called by
colour too. ( I think poor BC was being genuine too)

It seems that unless you are black you arent ethnically represented. And I find it highly offensive someone calling me a black minority ethnic. I’m not black but am vertically challenged. 🙂

Will the black 007 win it first time round?

clearly there just weren’t any black actors worthy of a nomination.

Yeah, see that’s a bit different, innit? People generally don’t go for being described as “coloured” so much these days, since that seems to define a person by that attribute, whereas being a person “of colour” doesn’t to the same extent – kinda similar to describing someone as “being gay” as opposed to defining them as being “a gay”, if you see what I mean?

It seems that unless you are black you arent ethnically represented. And I find it highly offensive someone calling me a black minority ethnic. I’m not black but am vertically challenged.

Eh?

Its taken me a couple of weeks to sort out some drainage issues, re-landscape and enclose with a very nice palisade fence. Lots of effort, hard work and a warm fuzzy feeling within me, knowing that it’s a job well done. I’ve also received some recognition from the powers that be too.

The issue is though, why is there no national or international recognition available to me and the multitude of others, not just in the UK, but around the world, who toil each and every day? Skilled manual labour, goes unrecognised by the media, by the authorities. Why is it that it’s only the celebrities, film stars, actors, sports people and all the others in the public eye that can have their tender ego’s massaged by the plethora of self-congratulary, back slapping, arse licking award ceremonies?

Is it because I is white Caucasian?

Bollox, the lot of it. They earn plenty from their trade, more than the majority of the population and then people get all uppity about who is and isn’t included. Tell em to grow some, stop frikkin whinging and think about a different angle with which to publicise their farce of a farce night out of telling each other how wonderful and clever they are. Bet none of them could sort out the drains and erect a fence. Damn sure I can act.

😉

i too am boycotting the oscars.. not a single nomination for anyone from rochdale disgraceful.am i a pedant or simply spoilt or do film goers just not watch films about folk from rochdale and would rather watch stuff about themselves.. eothr way i ll not be wearing that frock again.

From what i have seen Sam l jackson in hateful 8 , Idris Elba in beasts of no nation and John Boyega in star wars would all of been worthy contenders .
The guy who played Ice Cube in straight outta compton was excellent but he was playing his dad so might of had an unfair advantage .

Either white people are the best or there is some institutional racism at work within the industry/voters.

From what i have seen Sam l jackson in hateful 8 , Idris Elba in beasts of no nation and John Boyega in star wars would all of been worthy contenders .
The guy who played Ice Cube in straight outta compton was excellent but he was playing his dad so might of had an unfair advantage .

Well, there’s the thing, innit; while I’m sure all three put in excellent performances, are those performances good enough to earn an Oscar nomination, and are any of those films going to get nominated for anything other than in minor categories?
Of the three, only Star Wars might be likely to get anywhere, the Oscars just never chose populist films, or genre films, and I don’t recall there being any big-name ‘actors-of-colour-or-non-white-ethnicity’ in the more mainstream films.
I do believe there is a Canadian First Nations actress in The Revenant who has a nomination, but I’m not 100% certain.