Diversity in Hollywood

Posted by Medphil KaiKai in Film

Diversity… when you hear this word does Hollywood also cross your mind? Over the years, the amount of diversity within mainstream Hollywood has been a talking point. As we enter the award season this conversation will come to the forefront once again. In last year’s Oscars, out of the 20 actors nominated all were white. This raises the question of why is this happening?

A lot of people would base this on prejudice within the industry spanning from the hiring of actors to who gets nominated at award shows. Furthermore, you could suggest this leads to a lack of cultural variety in film. Past movies which included this kind of cultural diversity have shown that it can be a successful formula, Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire released 2008, which featured then up and coming actor Dev Patel, who had featured in British show ‘Skins’ prior to this, is an example of this. As a movie centred around Indian culture while simultaneously being a social commentary on poverty in these kinds of countries, it managed to gross $141,319,195 in the US alone from a $15,000,000* budget illustrating how lucrative it can be to expose movie goers to new material.

Furthermore, this illustrates that Hollywood are moving in the right direction in terms of diversity in screenplays and casting choices. You could support this in the choice of the much-anticipated Marvel’s Black Panther which will include great up and coming talents such as Michael B. Jordan who featured in 2015’s Creed which was positively received also Daniel Kaluuya who has featured in movies such as Johnny English Reborn (2011) and Kick Ass 2 (2013) however in my opinion a notable performance in Charlie Brooker’s Dark Series Black Mirror where he showed his depth in acting ability throughout his performance. Also more known cast members such as Lupita Nyong’o   who has been involved in blockbusters such as Star Wars:The Force Awakens (2015) and Jungle Book (2016)  will be playing one of  T’Challa/ Black Panther’s (Chadwick Boseman) female bodyguards showing a change in mentality from a generally male focused industry. This highlights Marvel’s and the industries identification of the need for different cultures within the movie industry and the change in societies mind.

Like a lot of people out there I will be looking out for my favourite actors and actress nominations and awards, however I’ll be looking out for those nominations and winners who are shaking convention in the industry. What would you say is happening? Are we moving forward or backwards in terms of mentality?

Also, I will be looking out for the new Black Panther trailer to see if it lives up to the high bar set by the other films in the franchise. If his appearance in Civil War is anything to go by it will be action packed.

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