The Study of Racialism

odocoileus · Posted: Mon 16 Oct 2006 04:57 Post subject:

Not actual sign waving protests. Maybe some expressions of outrage. An angry editorial or two.

Remember, the woman she's playing wasn't a black American. Black Americans won't recognize her as part of the tribe the way they would a multiracial American public figure.

Use a white actress to play Sally Hemmings (entirely appropriate casting, BTW) - then you'd get protests.

G-Man · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2992 }

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

I think actress Troy Breyer looks just like her.

sagascend · Moderator-at-Large Joined: 17 Jun 2006 {Posts: 2418 }

Who is playing Daniel Pearl? I'd be surprised if the actor was not Jewish.

fwsweet · Posted: Mon 16 Oct 2006 15:48 Post subject:

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

http://backintyme.com/ODR/about1979.html

This is also being discussed here under Popular Culture

fwsweet · Posted: Mon 16 Oct 2006 18:26 Post subject:

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

fwsweet · Posted: Mon 16 Oct 2006 19:42 Post subject:

G-Man · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2992 }

triguy · Superuser Joined: 27 Apr 2005 {Posts: 878 }

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

sagascend · Moderator-at-Large Joined: 17 Jun 2006 {Posts: 2418 }

I tend to agree that some sort of cultural authenticity improves the performance. For example, I don't think The Sopranos would be the same if there had not been a conscious effort to cast Italian American and Italian actors in those roles. After that, "natural" visual authenticity is important. The reason why the casting choice doesn't sit well with many of us is because there are plenty of fine actresses who would not have to alter themselves much or at all to look like Marianne Pearl. But I guess being involved with the production company's owner was the most important factor in casting (just ask Jennifer Anniston).

But it's trickier when it comes to other elements of making a good film or tv show, like directing, writing, casting, producing. Steven Spielberg was massacred by the mainstream Black media when he directed The Color Purple. Arguably one of the best movies ever made, one of many criticisms was that a Black director was not chosen.

Sometimes a passion for telling a story and a deep respect of the culture by an cultural outsider doesn't lessen the authenticity. Is there anything more English than Ang Lee's Remains of the Day or Sense and Sensibility? What about Kevin Costner's Dances With Wolves or John Sayles's Lone Star?

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

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