The imminent whitewashing of The Hunger Games heroine
Fans of The Hunger Games - the dark and addictive YA trilogy that is the hottest kid-lit read this side of Twilight - have been avidly following casting rumors for the forthcoming film adaptation. But while director Gary Ross initially told Entertainment Weekly that the actress playing resentful revolutionary heroine Katniss Everdeen needn't be a "star," now it's being reported that Oscar-nominated Winter's Bone breakout Jennifer Lawrence is close to snagging the coveted role.
Lawrence is unquestionably a talented actress, widely acknowledged to have the grit to play Katniss. But the process which seems to have led to her selection is problematic in other ways -- in particular, the film's casting call contained the following criteria: "She should be Caucasian, between ages 15 and 20, who could portray someone ‘underfed but strong,' and ‘naturally pretty underneath her tomboyishness.'"
Seeking actresses who look "underfed" is fraught for obvious reasons but, to be fair, that quality does reflect the book's portrayal of Katniss as perennially malnourished. But it's the blunt "Caucasian" requirement that comes as a surprise. Those who read The Hunger Games slowly enough to savor its descriptive language know that Suzanne Collins gives her heroine "olive" skin, grey eyes, and dark hair. Katniss' looks in the novel are typical of her fellow residents in "The Seam," an impoverished area populated by coal-miners like her deceased dad. The wealthier merchant class, including Katniss's mom and sister, generally are described with fair hair and skin.
Collins' allusions to race aren't exactly subtle, and the filmmakers apparent decision to ignore this aspect of the novel has led some fans to make an inarguable point: given Katniss's description in the book, why wasn't the casting call open to actresses of color or mixed ethnicity? "As long as they fit the [book's] physical description, nonwhite actors should at least get a chance," says Marissa Lee, co-founder of the web community Racebending.com, where fans have protested the "whitewashing" of Hollywood film adaptations like last year's The Last Airbender.
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I know Jezebel isn't always good, but this article's spot on. As an avid Hunger Games fan, I'm worried about this movie.
Lawrence is unquestionably a talented actress, widely acknowledged to have the grit to play Katniss. But the process which seems to have led to her selection is problematic in other ways -- in particular, the film's casting call contained the following criteria: "She should be Caucasian, between ages 15 and 20, who could portray someone ‘underfed but strong,' and ‘naturally pretty underneath her tomboyishness.'"
Seeking actresses who look "underfed" is fraught for obvious reasons but, to be fair, that quality does reflect the book's portrayal of Katniss as perennially malnourished. But it's the blunt "Caucasian" requirement that comes as a surprise. Those who read The Hunger Games slowly enough to savor its descriptive language know that Suzanne Collins gives her heroine "olive" skin, grey eyes, and dark hair. Katniss' looks in the novel are typical of her fellow residents in "The Seam," an impoverished area populated by coal-miners like her deceased dad. The wealthier merchant class, including Katniss's mom and sister, generally are described with fair hair and skin.
Collins' allusions to race aren't exactly subtle, and the filmmakers apparent decision to ignore this aspect of the novel has led some fans to make an inarguable point: given Katniss's description in the book, why wasn't the casting call open to actresses of color or mixed ethnicity? "As long as they fit the [book's] physical description, nonwhite actors should at least get a chance," says Marissa Lee, co-founder of the web community Racebending.com, where fans have protested the "whitewashing" of Hollywood film adaptations like last year's The Last Airbender.
more at source
I know Jezebel isn't always good, but this article's spot on. As an avid Hunger Games fan, I'm worried about this movie.