Film Backlash for Actors/Actresses Playing Certain Roles

Detroit24 · Feb 23, 2021

Feb 23, 2021

Ordinary Joel said

Fair warning, I'm on my soapbox below coz I think this is a chance to open up this discussion further from the disability perspective.

Coming from a disability perspective, one pertinent thing is that my community just wants representation and for the opportunity to change the narrative. We are one of the most underrepresented, pitied, and often the forgotten community that is time and time again utilised for inspiration p--- for the majority abled-community to feel better about themselves, coz life is alright and couldn't be as bad as having a physical/mental/intellectual/acquired/nonverbal/nonvisible/neurodivergent disability right? We're regularly portrayed as burdens, as people better off dead or given away or fostered or people that need to be fixed and saved. Or we're portrayed as being amazing in spite of hardship, or patronised for living every day like the next individual but put on a pedestal coz people can't imagine how we do it. Our story is not for you to fetishise, we're humans just like you that want to live life like everyone else - only that we need extra support to be on the same equitable playing field within society and fields of work such as film/tv/media etc that is historically exclusionary, inaccessible and ableist.

And that's why backlash occurred coz it was another example of able-Hollywood again not allowing people with disabilities a seat at the table to represent ourselves. To change the perception, to showcase our talent, to prove that we're an integral part of society that still undervalues and underestimates our contribution. You can't tell a story about a certain demographic without consultation to ensure that the messages or themes conveyed aren't in anyway harmful or that it has the potential for the population to view disabled people as not equal or put on a pedestal to fetishise. I'm sure Cranston, like many professional Hollywood actors, would've done his due diligence and ensured his role was a faithful and sincere adaptation of a quadriplegic man. But the onus is on the system, the institutions, the production companies, casting firms and actors like Cranston to utilise their influence and stature to do more to be truly inclusive and accessible for not only disabled people, but all marginalised groups to tell their story through any art form. If people have a hard time understanding why the backlash happens, keep asking those questions and we'll be here to speak. Don't get frustrated when there's nothing to be frustrated about, especially the crowd that clutch their pearls when their world is turned upside down by PC culture or whatever you wanna call it. You have the ability to turn the other cheek and ignore it. When it happens to us, we can't ignore it. We can't assimilate when the world doesn't allow us to. You have that privilege, we don't.

That's in part a fault of the system. A disabled actor/actress can be more than a no-name should they be afforded an equitable opportunity to succeed in their field. Every actor was a nobody at some stage.

That disabled actor won't get his chance if the system doesn't fix the issues of access and inclusion, and with your mindset every project would gear towards a mega star instead of the writers/producers/directors etc trusting their talent in delivering a story/movie/whatever worth watching.

Bryan Cranston worked his way there coz he had access and assimilates into an industry made to support people like him to succeed. Not everyone is afforded that opportunity to work their way up brother. This "keep working hard" mantra only takes you so far until you hit roadblock issues that curtail your career/life/whatever such as inclusion, support etc etc.

Do you honestly think it's crying and sulking about missing out on the job? It's more than that. It's just another example that frustrates those groups affected. By speaking up we're highlighting the issue and that's where change can hopefully begin to happen.
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i agree with your perspective. The whole system is flawed. But that’s with every part of society. All I meant is be in control of what you can control. So hard work is necessary for you to get the best out of your situation. People are dealt with some bad hands early in life and others during life. You can’t control a lot in this world but you can control your work ethic and what you can do to be the best you can be. Life is hard and we don’t get everything we work for. I know, I haven’t. I can’t be disappointed with what other think if I know I did the best and put it out to the universe.

I have to be satisfied with my performance, hard work, dedication. If others don’t give me an opportunity that’s on them. In the movie industry, happens all the time. People go on these auditions and all they can do is the best they can do. Now the directors, producers, distributors have their perspective. Which you can’t control. Their perspectives are based off of their experience or image/vision of who should play this role

I am all about being progressive and moving forward. Just remember life is not fair, at any time during civilization. Nothing is ever perfect in this world. Even in the future there will always be criticism and not ever person gets to “succeed” or to make it to the top. The institutes that we have built within capitalism makes it that way.

It’s great when Hollywood gives someone new an opportunity. Especially when they are talented. They deserve it. But the common formula in Hollywood is still $$$. If a trans actor or disabled actor can make the big companies $$$ then they will be getting the part. The problem is who holds the keys to give the opportunity. They are pressured to make $$$, shareholders pressure to beat quarterly earnings, therefore they go with a safer bet and known actor then going with a wildcard that may or may not work, Businesses do not like risk. Movies are big business.

Nepotism/Politics happens everywhere. In this world, who you know is just as important as what you know. It can open doors and give you opportunities that others can’t get. Happens In all industries...that’s life.

The system is messed up and it will never be perfect for everyone in my opinion

Detroit24 · Feb 24, 2021

Feb 24, 2021
I definitely see your point @Ordinary Joel through your experiences and eyes I can easily justify how you feel and how unfair that would be. Great post, I enjoyed reading it. Not getting the opportunity is a huge issue, and just that inclusion would mean a lot to an entire community.

there are so many variables when dissecting this issue. You are absolutely right to say for change to happen it has to be a person in a position of power such as a producer or Bryan Cranston...the issue is most people look at it from their own perspective and judge the world through their own experiences...therefore if they never experienced what you have, then it is really hard to relate.

Everyone deserves an opportunity. Especially in a country such as the USA, Hollywood has the capabilities to do something that would mean so much to so many.

I wish I could be optimistic but I am very pessimistic on how the world works...$$$, power, greed, jealousy, stealing, taking advantage of others, violence envy, hatred, anger, etc...

that’s why I try to look at what you can control and be optimistic with your abilities and what you can bring to the table, do your best at all times. stoicism is great philosophy in my opinion.

opportunities can only be giving be people in power.

on a side note
Homosexuality has been around forever. Kings would have their men in Europe etc...religion took sexuality and made it evil....fast forward to now...successfully gay people everywhere...even if they are in closet...because of society...

every community deserves a voice and has the ability to have a voice

Detroit24 · Feb 24, 2021

Feb 24, 2021
I never watched the American version with Bryan Cranston and Kevin hart but the original from France was an amazing movie

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