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Why are white actors still cast in films about non-white people?
I thought it was an ignorant thing of the past, til movies like "Exodus" whitewashed ancient Egypt, but made black people the slaves, "Avatar: The Last Airbender" making a show about asian and native american type people into a movie with good white characters and south asian bad characters, etc. I can't believe it still happens. Are casting people blind, oblivious, or just racist? I can't believe Angelina Jolie even wants to make a movie on Cleopatra, and play Cleopatra. That's a huge insult to her adopted daughter, Zahara, who is closer to being Egyptian, as an Ethiopian, than European and slight Native American Angelina. Why does this nonsense still happen today? What is wrong with casting appropriately? It's like people portraying Jesus with blonde hair and blue eyes.. what's wrong with the reality that he likely looked more like the average middle eastern man, and not like a northern european? I'm not anti-white people or anything, I just hate historical inaccuracy. It benefits nobody. It's a shame the new Moses film took that route. I don't watch films for the actors. The film would sell if it's good, not just cause it has Mel Gibson, some English white guy. I thought people in the entertainment industry would know better by now, but sadly, i guess not. It's like.. they never learn.
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Racism is alive and well. That being said, I think some racism is subconscious. People may not realize that they are casting white people for roles about people with colour. They might just be so used to seeing white people in films that they mindlessly repeat the same mistake. The word for this unconscious racism is prejudice. This is different from outright discrimination in which people intentionally are racist. Prejudice = unconscious first reactions that favour a particular group. Discrimination = Consciously choosing to favour a particular group. Even though prejudice is not badly intentioned the way that discrimination is, it still hurts people. People need to become mindful of their own unconscious prejudices so that things like this can stop happening.
Let me give you a tip. Google "Project Implicit". There you can take tests created by psychologists that measure your own unconscious prejudices. You seem to be a person who is interested in human rights. But, it may help you develop compassion for people who are unconsciously prejudiced if you realize that you too have unconscious prejudices of your own.
It's all about awareness. People need to realize that they have prejudices so that they can work to change them within themselves. Set an example. Learn about your own prejudices and educate others as well.
For example, I realized when I took the Project Implicit test that I have a preference for the elderly and overweight people. Who knew?
Oh, and when you are done looking up project implicit, watch one of my videos!
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Toodles,
Miss Piggy
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You ask a good question. Unfortunately I don't believe any of us are in the film industry and would know the answer. I for one would be interested in hearing why they cast box office stars rather than go for historical accuracy.
If you truly want an answer to your question I would suggest you write to one or more of the Hollywood studio's. Write to them as if this is a school assignment you are doing and I'm sure one or more of the studios will answer.
Write to the public relations department of any major studio. You should be able to find the address on the WEB.
Write a business type of letter. While you can be as blunt as you were here try and soften it some as not to insult or come off as being racist. That you are asking a question as part of a learning exercise.
Good luck and write me back with any answer you get. You can do so in a private message. I am really interested to hear what a studio might say to you.
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