Brie Larson has a problem with the current state of film criticism. No, she doesn’t think that her films are somehow targeted unfairly. What she is concerned about is the diversity (or lack thereof) in the film criticism community. After a report was published a few days ago saying that film criticism is dominated by white males, many have been wondering how that can change.
While accepting the Crystal Award for Excellence in Film, at the Crystal +Lucy Awards, Larson spoke up about this issue (via Variety). Larson said, “Of the 100 highest-grossing movies in 2017, less than a quarter of the critics were white women, less than ten percent were underrepresented men, and only 2.5 percent were women of color.”
“Am I saying I hate white dudes?” she asked. “No, I’m not,” she answered.
She continues by discussing one film that recently was released that was celebrated as a landmark achievement for women of color in film, Ava DuVernay’s “A Wrinkle in Time.” That film was directed by DuVernay, had a massive budget, and starred a diverse cast of characters.
“I don’t want to hear what a white man has to say about ‘A Wrinkle in Time.’ I want to hear what a woman of color, a biracial woman has to say about the film. I want to hear what teenagers think about the film,” says Larson.
“If you make a movie that is a love letter to women of color, there is a chance that a woman of color does not have access to review and critique your film,” she said. “Do not say the talent is not there, because it is.”
Larson also announced that Sundance Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival have both pledged 20% of their press credentials will go to minorities. She also revealed plans to implement an opt-in program that will allow studios to have access to underrepresented journalists and critics.
“Please make sure that these invites and credentials find their way to more underrepresented journalists and critics, many of whom are freelancers,” she concluded.
