Oscar Roundtable Discussion re: the politics of Hollywood casting

[redqueen]

http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/01/watch_viola_davis_tell_charlize_theron_she_doesnt_know_what_shes_talking_about_video.html

Regardless of how you feel about the “The Help,” you gotta give it to Viola Davis for consistently shining light on structural issues in the film industry that make it harder for actors of color to get work.

During Newsweek’s Oscar roundtable, Davis tried to speak about the difficulties of being a black actress in Hollywood—but a well-intentioned reply from Charlize Theron illustrates just how disconnected Hollywood can be.

Theron’s response to Davis makes it look like she’s just never considered that there are less roles for black women in Hollywood.

...

[tabatha]

1. I think Theron was commenting on the fact that Viola Davis should not consider herself unattractive

Those were the words she used.

However, the qualification of a woman for a role as being one that is "f*ckable" is just despicable. It demonstrates how the industry demeans women, and that sometimes the entertainment industry goes for what sells (dumbing down) rather than something that makes a contribution.

Viola Davis is a smart, smart lady.

[redqueen]

3. Yes, I used the ColorLines title but I probably shouldn't have...

it's not the most informative.

[IcyPeas]

2. what was her response?

[redqueen]

4. She didn't actually say that in so many words...

Viola was talking about why she hasn't had any other leading roles (politics of the industry), and she mentioned that she doesn't look like Halle Berry, and Halle Berry has trouble getting roles (which references what is mentioned later, that casting women whom people wouldn't want to **** is not a popular idea)... after which Charlize steps in to correct Viola, commenting on her appearance and good-naturedly reassuring Viola that she is, in fact, hot... after which Viola restates her point, which is that there aren't a lot of roles for women who look like Viola Davis.