As film critics, actors and industry insiders descended on Utah over the last week for the annual Sundance Film Festival, the event was drawn into a debate around diversity in Hollywood. Race relations have consistently been top of mind in the U.S., but the recent “white privilege” controversy thrust Hollywood into the spotlight in a new way. The success of new film “The Birth of a Nation” at Sundance was part of a wider discussion on discrimination and diversity. Macklemore’s latest single “White Privilege II” questioned the criticism of white artists “appropriating” black culture and the recently announced Oscar nominations sparked debate around the exclusion of African Americans. In the Academy Awards 88 year history a total of 2,947 Oscars have been awarded, with 12 of those won by African Americans. The 2016 show faced criticism for releasing best acting nominee lists that contain no African American stars. Spike Lee announced his intention to boycott the Oscars over the lack of nominations. He included the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite in his statement, setting off a string of reactions and conversation across the country. Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith said they too would avoid the event, while Snoop Dogg and Lupita Nyong’o voiced solidarity. President Barack Obama said, “I think the Oscar debate is really just an expression of this broader issue of are we making sure that everybody is getting a fair shot?” In response to the criticism, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced they were committed to “doubling the number of women and diverse members of the Academy by 2020.” The controversy surrounding the Oscars also extended to the larger entertainment industry. The most-talked-about film at Sundance was “The Birth of a Nation”, which charts the story of an 1831 slave rebellion led by Nat Turner. The release of Macklemore’s single “White Privilege II” also brought the music industry into the forefront. The song received a mixed reception. Some praised him for speaking on the issue, while others were more critical, but more over the song itself than the message it spreads. The Sundance festival draws to a close on Sunday, but discussions regarding Hollywood’s diversity will continue. Read up on all sides of the discussion via these Flipboard Magazines.
