Creative talent from all ethnicities ‘need to be supported’ 

By Amit Roy

PRINCE WILLIAM issued a stinging rebuke to Bafta for its lack of diversity at its awards ceremony last Sunday (2), as did Joaquin Phoenix, who won the leading actor category for his role in Joker.

On paper, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta), founded in 1947, is supposed to be an independent charity. Its mission is to “support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image, by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public”.

Bafta winners and nominees in most categories “are voted for by 6,700 academy members, who are industry professionals and creatives around the world”.

There is no doubt there exists in Britain an incredibly talented pool, but since the UK film industry itself is tiny, British actors, actresses, directors, producers and all manner of technical professionals of the highest calibre have to look to Hollywood for work.

This is why Bafta’s main role is to massage American egos. The Hollywood folk who take the trouble to make the transatlantic journey either get prizes or are given the opportunity to present them. They are invariably seated at the front where the camera can linger lovingly on them. Bafta might occasionally play lip service to diversity, but helping the careers of blacks and Asians is not its priority.

Last Sunday was a night when other than a brief glimpse of Oscar winner Asif Kapadia, Asian faces were conspicuous by their absence.

Handing a fellowship to the American producer Kathleen Kennedy – the recipient of this honour is often from the US – the Duke of Cambridge, who has been Bafta president for 10 years, was brave enough to say: “Both here in the UK and in many other countries across the world, we are lucky to have incredible film makers, actors, producers, directors and technicians – men and women from all backgrounds and ethnicities enriching our lives through film.

“Yet in 2020, and not for the first time in the last few years, we find ourselves talking again about the need to do more to ensure diversity in the sector and in the awards process. That simply cannot be right in this day and age.”

He added: “I know that both Pippa (Harris), chair of Bafta, and Amanda (Berry), Bafta CEO, share that frustration and continue to work tirelessly to ensure that creative talent is discovered and supported. Bafta take this issue seriously, and following this year’s nominations, has launched a full and thorough review of the entire awards process to... ensure that opportunities are available to everyone.”

William’s comments follow adverse publicity about the lack of diversity among this year’s Bafta nominations. All 20 acting nominees were white, and no female directors were nominated for the seventh year in a row.

Bafta was also taken to task by Phoenix in his acceptance speech.

“I feel conflicted because so many of my fellow actors that are deserving don’t have that same privilege,” he said. “I think that we send a very clear message to people of colour that ‘you’re not welcome here’. I think that’s the message we’re sending to people who have contributed so much to our medium and our industry, and in ways that we benefit from.

“I don’t think anybody wants a hand out or preferential treatment, although that’s what we give ourselves every year. I think people just want to be acknowledged, appreciated and respected for their work. This is not a self-righteous condemnation because I’m ashamed to say that I’m part of the problem.

“I have not done everything in my power to ensure that the sets I work on are inclusive, but I think it’s more than just having sets that are multicultural. We have to do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism. I think it is the obligation of the people that have created and perpetuate and benefit from a system of oppression to be the ones that dismantle it. So that’s on us.”

Later this year, the TV producer Krishnendu Majumdar, currently Bafta’s deputy chairman, will take over from Pippa Harris as chairman, but whether he will be able to bring about the required change remains to be seen.

I have a suggestion for Bafta. Perhaps among the stars opening the envelopes, it could include one or two big names from Bollywood. After all, Indian films do have a significant following in this country.