Patronising diversity rules for Oscars ‘make me vomit’, says Richard Dreyfuss
Richard Dreyfuss, the Academy Award-winning actor, has lashed out at the Oscars’ new diversity rules, saying they “make me vomit”.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has imposed strict new standards for films to be nominated for an award.
They represent the biggest change to the rules since the awards were created in 1929.
To be nominated, a film must satisfy two of four stipulations. One is that the production has at least one star from “an underrepresented racial or ethnic group”.
Or 30 per cent of the minor actors must be from at least two underrepresented groups, which also include women, LGBTQ+, or people with disabilities.
If neither of these requirements can be met, then the main storyline must be centred on an underrepresented group.
The second stipulation imposes similar standards for the production team. For example, at least two main executives, such as the director or cinematographer must be from a minority.
And the third says that film production and distribution companies must have paid internships and offer training for underrepresented groups.
The fourth requirement says production companies are also required to have “multiple in-house senior executives from underrepresented groups”.
‘This is so patronising’
Asked on American public radio about the new “inclusion standards”, Dreyfuss replied: “They make me vomit”.
“No one should be telling me as an artist that I have to give in to the latest, most current idea of what morality is.
“What are we risking? Are we really risking hurting people’s feelings? You can’t legislate that. You have to let life be life and I’m sorry, I don’t think there is a minority or majority in the country that has to be catered to like that.”
He added: “Am I being told that I will never have a chance to play a black man?”
“Is someone else being told that if they’re not Jewish, they shouldn’t play the Merchant of Venice? Are we crazy? Do we not know that art is art?”
Dreyfuss added: “This is so patronising. It’s so thoughtless and treating people like children.”
