It is interesting and sad that non-US film distributors are less likely to run films starring black people but it seems to be a fact. It's especially disturbing because the foreign sales outlook...
It is interesting and sad that non-US film distributors are less likely to run films starring black people but it seems to be a fact. It's especially disturbing because the foreign sales outlook guides the casting of many mainstream American films. From the Sony leaks we learned that Sony execs shied away from casting Denzel Washington due to foreign audiences perceived racism. The Sony producer who was quoted was not being racist per se, just making a calculated business call, and it sucks.
– “No, I am not saying The Equalizer should not have been made or that African American actors should not have been used (I personally think Denzel is the best actor of his generation),” the producer wrote. “Casting him is saying we’re ok with a double if the picture works,” the producer wrote, using a baseball analogy. “He’s reliable at the domestic [box office], safe, but has not had a huge success in years. I believe whenever possible the non event pictures, extra ‘bets’ should have a large inherent upside and be made for the right price. Here there isn’t a large inherent upside.”
– “I believe that the international motion picture audience is racist — in general pictures with an African American lead don’t play well overseas,” the producer wrote. “But Sony sometimes seems to disregard that a picture must work well internationally to both maximize returns and reduce risk, especially pics with decent size budgets.”
It is interesting and sad that non-US film distributors are less likely to run films starring black people but it seems to be a fact. It's especially disturbing because the foreign sales outlook guides the casting of many mainstream American films. From the Sony leaks we learned that Sony execs shied away from casting Denzel Washington due to foreign audiences perceived racism. The Sony producer who was quoted was not being racist per se, just making a calculated business call, and it sucks.
Indiewire
Oh, and I can't wait to see Sorry to Bother You. It looks really good.