Deepfocuslens
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The Academy Awards and Their Diversity Requirements
🕑 Added 2020-09-09 19:07:05 +0000 UTCI'm writing this on Patreon for a reason. Because for me, this will require more of a political response. I try to avoid politics on this channel for the most part unless it is part of an artistic point within a film that I am discussing. I also don't bring up or watch the Academy Awards, mainly because I find the self-congratulatory nature of it nauseating, and the political agendas they are constantly forcing down our throats inappropriate to say the least. But of course, the film industry cannot help itself lately, which unfortunately makes it difficult to distinguish the line between Washington and Hollywood. However, this is news that I have some passionate opinions about. And it speaks to a larger point about America in general.
I'm sure you've all heard the news about Hollywood and their new requirements for diversity in the Best Picture category and such. Let me state first off, that of course I have no issues with diversity in Hollywood or in any industry. It's pretty sad that I even have to use that as a qualifier in the first place. Does Hollywood overall need to be more diverse? Absolutely. It would benefit us greatly to have stories seen through the eyes of those with different perspectives. That's something I think most of us can agree on. But...this is a completely nonsensical way to go about it.
Forced diversity is the problem I've been seeing for the last few years in Hollywood. An industry truly interested in creating variety in the workplace will find ways of encouraging diversity rather than dictating it. Diversity in art should never be mandatory. It is condescending to those who wish to be taken seriously in a career for their merit regardless of background or appearance. An industry that would forgo artistic merit for gender bias and participation trophies misses the entire point of what it means to be progressive.
They constantly cram political agendas down our throats as if they have some high authority, and they wonder why people are turning away from it. There is huge difference between pandering to someone and respecting. I made this point a while ago in a Q&A video. As an example, Hollywood may think having an "all female" version of GHOST BUSTERS or OCEAN'S 13 will perhaps set an example for the rest of America, but to me it is insulting to the true definition of feminism. If you truly want to honor women,, work with original material, write complex female characters with flaws and fears and hopes and dreams. Do not rehash other people's ideas with a shallow political gimmick in order to gain an easy profit.
But alas, they've learned nothing, and they continue to remain tone-deaf to what the people truly want, and it is a perfect representation of this current political climate: two sides blindly wishing to inspire freedom of democracy. But both have gone so far in the other direction that communication has become near impossible. By this logic, the Academy, who prides themselves on being so liberal and "woke" has fallen victim to the same hypocrisy they criticize from the right: potential dictatorship.
Forcing a narrative they wish to see rather than allowing it to happen naturally will only inspire more backlash from the public who wish for true authenticity. It feels like a temporary bandaid being placed over a crumbling industry who has no idea how to remain relevant. I find it ridiculous, offensive to minorities of all sorts. A reminder of what can happen when you try to desperately save face, using real, serious issues to conceal your own flaws and lack of virtue as an industry. I think a lot of people, from both sides politically fall under this category. Using your political beliefs as a mark of your morality without understanding the mechanism in which you worship. Those worried about a dictatorship because of one side or the other...perhaps need to look inward and realize, it is both sides that are closing in on a potential authoritarianism for failing to see the flaws in each other. And that lack of awareness, couldn't be more personified by this particular decision.
Comments
Michael Smith
In my opinion it just comes down choosing the lesser of two shitty options. On one hand they can take a hands-off approach, allow the pieces to fall where they may, let the strong devour the weak, and minorities continue to get shit on and ignored. On the other, they intervene, force quotas, and stifle the artists...both options suck, but such is life.
Ryan
it's just going to backfire as this crap has already been backfiring (as they say, "go woke go broke"). Instead of telling compelling stories about LBGTQ or BIPOC characters, instead, we get Ghostbusters but with women or let's replace James Bond with a black woman. Audiences will just resent Hollywood for forcing diversity down everyone's throats instead of celebrating the diversity of life by giving us movies that portray LBGTQ/BIPOC experiences.
Deepfocuslens
I disagree. I think there are other ways Hollywood could show that they are not run solely by narrow-minded, selfish, money-hungry assholes. Perhaps by changing the political narrative for winning awards that was instilled by Harvey Weinstein in the 90s.. If they truly want to be progressive and not appear hypocritical, then you can get out of the shadow of someone who as a leader, has tarnished your industry badly and return to a focus on the art itself a bit more. But nope. Let's continue in that shadow, but virtue signal in other areas out of pathetic guilt, which will only distance people more. "Woke" agendas for appearances sake is condescending and insulting to the people they think they are helping. They should encourage and shift focus, not enforce laws. That makes them just as hypocritical as the right that they shame and villanize.
Deepfocuslens
Well, it actually has to meet one or the other I think. Something about either having to have a film that meets the diversity qualifications on screen and/or behind the scenes in terms of working on set. But I'm not sure. I should read it more closely but, meh.
Michael Smith
People saying "if we had diversity requirements back then, Casablanca would be disqualified" to me is like saying "if Woodrow Wilson wasn't president then we wouldn't have won World War 1".....well yeah, maybe, but it doesn't mean things weren't shitty back then (and now) and we shouldn't try to make some changes.
Ryan
Thinking back on past Academy Award winners and some of the greatest movies ever made, how many of those films would be considered ineligible because they are not diverse enough?
Ryan
Movies will not be eligible for an Academy Award if they do not meet diversity requirements? Is that correct? If that is the case, then a movie like Barry Lyndon would not be eligible to win because it is a period piece set in Europe and all of the characters are of European ancestry. However, a film like Pootie Tang would be eligible to win because it has a racially diverse cast. How absurd.
Michael Smith
Affirmative action is a tricky subject. I used to think "affirmative action is good in all situations, the end" but as I've gotten older my opinion has become more nuanced. There are situations where affirmative action can be good: the Rooney Rule where you have to interview at least one minority before you hire a head coach; this has gotten people like Mike Tomlin and Ron Rivera jobs (75 percent white coaches to 70 percent black players where most coaches are former players). If the NFL wasn't forced to do this it would be business as usual and black/brown former players would never have a chance. On the flip side the discrimination against Asian students in the Harvard admissions process is nefarious for the opposite reason. I think it comes down to whether hiring is primarily skilled based or based on things like culture and connections. The Harvard admissions process should be based on skills so naturally admissions should be blind to race. NFL coaching hiring is not so much based on skill, and has more to do with whether you're a good face for the franchise or you get along with the owner and stupid shit like that. As a black software engineer, I would never want a company to give me a job because of my race as all that should matter is whether I can code or not. Hollywood, on the other hand, should be based on talent but it never has been...racial discrimination has been as prevalent in Hollywood as any other industry. If they don't "force" inclusion standards it will never happen. Look at The Bachelor casting the first black bachelor after years of outcry. There would have never been a non white bachelor otherwise so in a way it's good that they're pandering (even though we know that it's shameless pandering) but it's better than just not giving a fuck imo.
Emerson B
Under these rules, The Godfather and Casablanca would be ineligible for best picture but Leonard Part 6 staring Bill Cosby and M Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender would. I would like to see better representation across mass media but I think this is a silly way to go about it. Also why are employers keeping track of employee's sexual orientation? Being LGBT is considered an underrepresented class but why should your boss keep tabs on your dating/ sex life? If you want to express yourself at work, that fine but I think that's a slippery slope
Stephen
At the end of the day, this is about the Academy's desire to boost ratings. The "popular movie" award thing didn't work out so now they going in this direction to appeal to younger audiences. In the long run it's going to come down to the studios and producers if they want to help minority artists tell their stories, regardless of awards consideration. And yes agreed cancel culture isn't helping anyone right now, except people who want to make a buck off of it.
Ryan
You are preaching to the choir
Wolfman Brandon
What they don't know is that diversity in movies already exists. The independent film industry has been providing original, high quality films made by and starring women and minorities. Carol, Brooklyn, Moonlight, and The Last Black Man in San Francisco are all recent examples of excellent films with the diversity that Hollywood claims they're trying to push. All Hollywood is doing is trying to appeal to everyone and their grandparents without actually caring about or understanding the causes they claim they represent along with the terrible reboots they keep pushing. Nothing more than a marketing tactic. Indie films lead the way!!!
Deepfocuslens
Thanks. A little slapped together. But...sometimes a visceral reaction can be best.
Tyler Shobe
Nothing to add cause I agree with everything here. I just appreciate a really well thought out, passionate rant.
