Race controversy over words of a casting director in Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit."
Race Row Erupts Over Casting For The Hobbit
A woman who was waiting in line to audition as a hobbit extra in the upcoming Peter Jackson directed movie has reportedly being turned away for being 'too brown'.
British woman, Naz Humphries, who is of Pakistani origin, was told by an unnamed crew member that she was unlikely to be chosen due to her skin colour. Local newspaper, the Waikito Times, reports that there is a video showing the crew member saying: "We are looking for light-skinned people. I'm not trying to be - whatever. It's just the brief. You've got to look like a hobbit."
Seems that there was a little bit of direct discrimination in the casting over in New Zealand. This has a slightly different ending in that the crew member was let go (something we only wish could have happened to Didi Rickets, I'm sure.)
Still, stupid first comment in the comments section aside, how does this strike you all? I'm certain it wouldn't address the major issue of minorities lacking roles as major, central characters, but that doesn't mean we should set our radar too high up. Discuss in the comments, as usual.
(Kudos to the writer pointing out an issue with the Lord of the Rings trilogy, though.)
A woman who was waiting in line to audition as a hobbit extra in the upcoming Peter Jackson directed movie has reportedly being turned away for being 'too brown'.
British woman, Naz Humphries, who is of Pakistani origin, was told by an unnamed crew member that she was unlikely to be chosen due to her skin colour. Local newspaper, the Waikito Times, reports that there is a video showing the crew member saying: "We are looking for light-skinned people. I'm not trying to be - whatever. It's just the brief. You've got to look like a hobbit."
Seems that there was a little bit of direct discrimination in the casting over in New Zealand. This has a slightly different ending in that the crew member was let go (something we only wish could have happened to Didi Rickets, I'm sure.)
Still, stupid first comment in the comments section aside, how does this strike you all? I'm certain it wouldn't address the major issue of minorities lacking roles as major, central characters, but that doesn't mean we should set our radar too high up. Discuss in the comments, as usual.
(Kudos to the writer pointing out an issue with the Lord of the Rings trilogy, though.)