In a recent interview for BBC Radio 4, Sir Michael Caine responded to the recent inequality issue at the Oscars: “You can’t vote for an actor because he’s black. You can’t just say, ‘I’m gonna vote for him – he’s not very good, but he’s black'”.
With all due respect, I think Caine is missing the point. Of course actors should be nominated on merit rather than skin colour, but by not nominating any people of colour (for the second year in a row), the Academy is basically and categorically stating that none of them were any good – and we know that this isn’t true. Even Caine cited Idris Elba as a worthy nominee for his powerful performance in Beasts Of No Nation.
If you’re not voted for, you can’t be nominated…and if you’re not nominated, then you can’t win. Let’s hope that, in future, the Academy can see beyond skin-colour/race, and start to recognise and reward all artists on their ability and contribution to the film industry.
#Peace.Love.MichaelCaine
