People have been pointing out the lack of black faces in Woody Allen movies for years.
The director, who's far from universally beloved as a person, but is beyond critically respected as a filmmaker, answered the question in a recent interview with the New York Observer ... sort of.
Here's the quote from what the reporter described as a "horrified" Allen when he was asked about not casting black actors in his movies:
"Not unless I write a story that requires it. You don’t hire people based on race. You hire people based on who is correct for the part. The implication is that I’m deliberately not hiring black actors, which is stupid. I cast only what’s right for the part. Race, friendship means nothing to me except who is right for the part."
Uh, that still doesn't really explain why after making movies for five decades a meaningful role in one of Allen's films has never been "right" for a black actor, but OK.
Is this just Allen being honest in saying he doesn't think about black roles at all when he's writing? Is this a problem?
The profile goes on to report that Allen does what most white people when they're confronted with an accusation of racism: list their black friends, which in Allen's case apparently includes Chris Rock and Spike Lee.
It's worth a read if you have a few minutes.
[Via Indiewire]
