Race and movie roles

03/08/2008 @ 6:00 pm

Remember all the controversy some time back about Chinese actors being cast in roles depicting Japanese characters?

Well how about actor Robert Downey Jr. playing a white man who plays a blackman in a movie. . . I think. . .

Robert Downey black

And that is Jack Black behind him.

By Edward, Stored in: Conflict, Entertainment, Japan, Movies

5 Responses to “Race and movie roles”

genovais Said:

I don’t think that he’s being “cast as a black.” I could be wrong, but from what I’ve read about this movie I think he’s playing a (white) actor who is playing a black role. A movie in a movie situation.

March 8th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Edward Chmura Said:

Looks like you are correct, genovais, thank you. I have corrected the story.

But if he is playing a white actor playing a black man, what is the uproar about?

March 8th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
RTN Said:

There really hasn’t been any uproar in the US that I’m aware of, other than maybe the media trying to create one. This is also a comedy, which gives them a lot more leeway in what they do.

March 8th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Nix Said:

How is this any different from White Chicks? I don’t recall there being any uproar surrounding that film…

March 9th, 2008 at 5:27 am
lilah Said:

Nix, the act might not be any different, but blackface has an extensive and hurtful history behind it that whiteface does not. I’m not saying one is better than another, but I’ve been seeing that comparison made in a few different areas and I don’t think it’s really fair.

But no one’s really made an uproar about this (at least yet).

March 9th, 2008 at 10:09 am

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