Richard Dreyfuss calls out the new diversity requirements for Oscar contenders, saying they make him “vomit”
Richard Dreyfuss talked about partisan speech, civics education in the US, and the Academy’s diverse inclusiveness project. Continuity follows.
Richard Dreyfuss, an Oscar-winning actor, expressed disapproval of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ amended diversity and inclusion rules, saying they “make me vomit.”
Dreyfuss made his remarks during a lengthy interview on PBS‘ “Firing Line With Margaret Hoover,” during which the actor also spoke about partisan speech, civics education in the US, and the Academy’s diversity inclusion program, according to “Variety.”
It takes skill. I shouldn’t have to submit to the newest, most up-to-date definition of morality because I’m an artist, you know. Exactly what do we risk? Do we actually want to risk upsetting people’s feelings? Richard Dreyfuss replied, “You can’t legislate that.
“Let life be life; you must do this. Sorry, but I don’t believe there is a minority or majority in this nation that needs to be accommodated in that way.
The four new diversity and inclusion guidelines were initially introduced in 2020; they will be implemented for the forthcoming Academy Awards, with a submission for best picture only being valid if two of the four requirements are met.
The four requirements are stated as enhancing on-screen diversity, themes, or narrative; increasing diversity among creative leadership and department heads; giving underrepresented groups access to the industry and opportunities; and increasing diversity in audience development.
Laurence Olivier’s performance in the 1965 film “Othello,” in which the English actor played the Shakespeare role while wearing blackface, was defended by Richard Dreyfuss in his subsequent remarks.
His portrayal of a Black man was excellent. Am I being informed that there will never be an opportunity for me to play a Black man? Is someone else being warned that they shouldn’t perform in “The Merchant of Venice” if they are not Jewish? Are we crazy? said Dreyfuss.
What a patronizing statement. People are being treated with such a lack of consideration.
For “The Goodbye Girl,” he received the Academy Award for best actor. The discussion with Richard Dreyfuss also focused on current initiatives to regulate curricula and forbid specific works from being taught in public schools.
“I believe we are timid. Republicans enroll their kids in school and fervently hope that they will eventually return. According to Dreyfuss, both Republicans and Democrats send their kids to school desperately hoping that they will return as Democrats.
“The notion that a parent might enter a public school and declare, ‘I don’t want my children exposed to competing viewpoints.’ That’s not right.
