Amid all-white acting nominees, Joaquin Phoenix calls out ‘systemic racism’ in awards speech

Actor Joaquin Phoenix poses for photographers upon arrival at the Bafta Film Awards, in central London, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020. Image: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP

When Joaquin Phoenix took the stage at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) yesterday, Feb. 2, it was not to relish in his Best Actor win for “Joker”.

The 45-year-old star called attention to the fact that out of the 20 acting nominees, none was a non-white actor or actress.

Phoenix addressed the crowd at London’s Royal Albert Hall somberly: “I feel conflicted because so many of my fellow actors that are deserving don’t have that same privilege. I think that we send a very clear message to people of color that you’re not welcome here.”

“I think that’s the message that we’re sending to people that have contributed so much to our medium and our industry, and in ways that we benefit from,” he said.

“I don’t think anybody wants a handout or preferential treatment, although that’s what we give ourselves every year. I think people just want to be acknowledged, appreciated and respected for their work.”

He also acknowledged his role in the lack of diversity in the film industry. “This is not a self-righteous condemnation because I’m ashamed to say that I’m part of the problem,” he said.

“I have not done everything in my power to ensure that the sets I work on are inclusive, but I think it’s more than just having sets that are multicultural. We have to do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism.”

He stressed that action should come from those with privilege: “I think it is the obligation of the people that have created and perpetuate and benefit from a system of oppression to be the ones that dismantle it. So that’s on us.”

“The Farewell” director Lulu Wang, who is Chinese-American, commended the actor on Twitter: “An uncomfortable silence filled the hall for a long noticeable moment. Thank you Joaquin.”

https://twitter.com/thumbelulu/status/1224078801543368704

African-American actress Viola Davis praised him too: “Thank you Joaquin Phoenix. For your honesty, solidarity AND courage. Well done.”

The BAFTAs has also had all-male director nominations for seven years in a row.

However, films by female directors in other categories got their due recognition. “For Sama” won Best Documentary; Syrian director Waad al-Kateab brought her 4-year-old daughter Sama onstage to accept the award.

The awards for short film and animated short was also handed to films directed by women: Carol Dysinger and Elena Andreicheva’s “Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)” and Maryam Mohajer’s “Grandad Was a Romantic”. JB

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