A DOZEN NATIVE ACTORS WALK OFF SET OF ADAM SANDLER MOVIE
“We talked to the producers about our concerns. They just told us, ’If you guys are so sensitive, you should leave.’ I was just standing there and got emotional and teary-eyed. I didn’t want to cry but the feeling just came over me. This is supposed to be a comedy that makes you laugh. A film like this should not make someone feel this way.“
[Read the full story at Indian Country Today Media Network]
Actor Loren Anthony (pictured on left in front of actor Nick Nolte) originally refused to be part of “The Ridiculous 6″, an upcoming Adam Sandler film for Netflix with a ridiculous cast list. The western stars Sandler as a man who grew up as an orphan in an Apache tribe. Loren Anthony was one of about a dozen Navajo actors who walked off set after concerns were dismissed by producers. These concerns included misrepresentation of the Apache culture, misuse of eagle feathers, offensive imagery such as a Native woman squatting and peeing while smoking a peace pipe, a Native woman answering the the name of “Beaver Breath” and “No Bra”, and disrespect on set towards elders and the cultural advisers (who also walked off set).
Anthony was convinced to join the cast after being assured cultural advisers were being brought in and that the film would “not be racist”. Things started to get weird on set Monday and the actors were told that the offensive nature of the jokes were “not intentional” and “for comedy” by the production team.
When given an ultimatum of shutting up and ignoring the use of stereotypes, racist humor, and all around disrespect to all Nations people or getting out the actors walked from production on Wednesday.
The photo on the right is of Loren Anthony with lead actor and writer of the film Adam Sandler dressed in similar not-Apache clothing.
No comment yet from Netflix, Sandler, director Frank Coraci, co producer Allen Covert, co writer Tim Herlihy or Happy Madison Productions. Shooting began on February 21st.So they walked off Sandler movie that no one will be paying to see! Good for them for staying true to themselves!! Why do they continue to let him make movies?!
(via mixpony)