(ConservativeSense.com) – One of Hollywood’s biggest names, Richard Dreyfuss, has lashed out at wokeness in the movie industry. He said “diversity” and “inclusion” initiatives are thoughtless and patronizing. “They make me vomit,” he added.
Dreyfuss referenced the growing trend of selecting actors for roles depending upon “lived experience.” The actor mentioned the performance of Sir Laurence Olivier in Shakespeare’s Othello in 1965. Dreyfuss praised Olivier’s performance and said it was ludicrous that a white actor could not play a back character. He compared it to disallowing an actor from playing the Merchant of Venice because they are not Jewish. “Are we crazy? Do we not know that art is art?” he asked.
Laurence Olivier’s performance as Othello has been under intense scrutiny recently. A music professor at the University of Michigan was dismissed from teaching Shakespeare at the institution because he showed the famous film to his students.
Chinese-born Bright Sheng, who has worked at the University since 1995, was told he would no longer teach his seminar on Shakespeare because some students were offended by Olivier’s portrayal.
David Gier, the dean of the School of Music, Theatre & Dance at Michigan, said, “Professor Sheng’s actions do not align with our School’s commitment to anti-racist action, diversity, equity and inclusion.”
Back in Hollywood, new criteria for Academy Award nominations no longer focus on good filmmaking. In 2020, after the Black Lives Matter riots swept America, the Academy announced new “representation and inclusion standards.”
To be nominated for an Oscar, a film must now have at least one leading actor, or significant supporting actor, from an ethnic minority group. At least 30% of all characters must meet the same criteria, as must production staff. The primary storyline must center around an ethnic minority group, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, or persons with cognitive or physical disabilities.
Quality filmmaking, solid acting performances, or powerful storylines, are no longer deemed to be of foremost significance to the Academy.
Copyright 2023, ConservativeSense.com
