Joaquin Phoenix targeted the British Academy Film Awards' embarrassing lack of diversity while accepting the Leading Actor award for his role in Joker — a film that has been criticised for its depiction of white terrorism.
Acknowledging that the BAFTAs had been supportive of his career, this being his fourth nomination, Phoenix said he felt "conflicted" because non-white actors weren't afforded the same privilege.
"I think that we send a very clear message to people of colour that you're not welcome here," said Phoenix, who beat out fellow all-white nominees Leonardo DiCaprio, Adam Driver, Taron Egerton, and Jonathan Pryce.
Phoenix also acknowledged that he was "part of the problem", having failed to push for inclusivity in his own projects. Though he fell short of committing to visible, measurable steps to rectifying this, it at least indicated some self-awareness.
"I think that we really have to do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism. I think that 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," finished Phoenix as the room full of rich white people looked sad and applauded.
It's a good sentiment, but also one that's been repeated for years. It'd be nice if people actually started doing something.
Jojo Rabbit director Taika Waititi also gave a nod to Britain's historic racial issues in his acceptance speech for Adapted Screenplay. "Coming from the colonies, we know it's been a hard week for you guys. It's been very nice to take a little bit of your gold back home. Where it belongs."
Topics Celebrities Racial Justice
