So to get things out of the way first before the pitchforks and knives are brought out, this isn't me going to discount everyone who complains of whitewashing or be one of those ignorant people who acts like racism doesn't exist anymore and we should just shut up and enjoy everything. No, sadly people are people and one of the things that can often annoy fans or offend groups of people is when a role that has been established for a certain race in a film is filled by an actor who is "white" and obviously has no discernible connection to said race. While I don't think this necessarily means there is a racist Hollywood suit wringing his hands and laughing maniacally behind his desk as he picks Johnny Depp for a Native American role, valid arguments can be made about how great opportunities and peoples feelings are sorely overlooked.
With that being said, there are times when the internet masses seem to cry outrage when, at least in my opinion, the issue isn't there. The latest example comes with the release of the trailer for Pan. For those not yet in the know, it is yet another retelling of Peter Pan's origin's. This movie seems pretty interesting, the visual motif seems to be imagining all the Neverland inhabitants looking like Cirque de Sole performers, and of course features all the classic story's characters including Tiger Lily. Tiger Lily is going to be played by Rooney Mara and since her character and group of tribes-people have been often portrayed as "Indians" (Native Americans), there are a tirade of comments lamenting how Hollywood has not progressed at all and casting a white actor is offensive to Native Americans. Obviously from where I'm going with this, I don't think this applies here.
Looking at it from a different perspective, I believe this can actually be a good thing. From reports in response to the controversy since the trailer's release, it looks like the film makers are trying to ignore the Native American ties entirely. While this decision was done nobly in efforts to not be offensive is unknown, it at least works that way. The history of Tiger Lily's portrayal is not exactly filled with positive examples that Native Americans would likely want to associate with. Just take a look at Disney's animated adaptation of Peter Pan. Most of you probably already know the racist themes that are present since it is one of the top examples of "Past Racist Cartoons" columns, but for those of you that haven't seen this yet, it's pretty bad. Not only is the tribe portrayed in the most stereotypical ways possible ("peace pipe" passing, referring to them as "Red-men", etc.), but there is also a quote in the song used in the scene that suggests they were white at one point in time but their skin color changed from blushing for too long after a woman's kiss. Also J.M.Barrie's original play and novel portrayed them much in the same as a savage unsophisticated group of people which were erroneously referred to as "Indians".
If the original works are created with a positive portrayal of the different groups of people present, then it's disheartening to see roles in an adaptation completely disregard the racial aspect of the portrayal. But in this instance, seeing that the original concept was thought up by a Scottish man who lived in the early 1900's, my guess is he wasn't exactly receiving expert advice on Native Americans and their historical way of life. So there isn't much of an argument to have these characters be portrayed by Native Americans based on the past iterations.
Now could this film take an opportunity to right the wrongs of the past and make a more positive role for Native American actors? Perhaps, but I think that "re-imagining" the characters as a group of non-race specific indigenous people is just as viable. Especially if you consider the former option could fail miserably.
Now this isn't to say that Hollywood doesn't have a problem with cultural diversity, even this film has all its' leading roles seemingly filled with Caucasian actors. But not having an actor from a race that has historically been poorly represented fill that role is likely a planned side-step as opposed to a careless choice. Maybe I'm wrong, and maybe I an just an ignorant racist jerk. Though I'm doubting it, your thoughts and opinions are welcome and appreciated.
With that being said, there are times when the internet masses seem to cry outrage when, at least in my opinion, the issue isn't there. The latest example comes with the release of the trailer for Pan. For those not yet in the know, it is yet another retelling of Peter Pan's origin's. This movie seems pretty interesting, the visual motif seems to be imagining all the Neverland inhabitants looking like Cirque de Sole performers, and of course features all the classic story's characters including Tiger Lily. Tiger Lily is going to be played by Rooney Mara and since her character and group of tribes-people have been often portrayed as "Indians" (Native Americans), there are a tirade of comments lamenting how Hollywood has not progressed at all and casting a white actor is offensive to Native Americans. Obviously from where I'm going with this, I don't think this applies here.
Looking at it from a different perspective, I believe this can actually be a good thing. From reports in response to the controversy since the trailer's release, it looks like the film makers are trying to ignore the Native American ties entirely. While this decision was done nobly in efforts to not be offensive is unknown, it at least works that way. The history of Tiger Lily's portrayal is not exactly filled with positive examples that Native Americans would likely want to associate with. Just take a look at Disney's animated adaptation of Peter Pan. Most of you probably already know the racist themes that are present since it is one of the top examples of "Past Racist Cartoons" columns, but for those of you that haven't seen this yet, it's pretty bad. Not only is the tribe portrayed in the most stereotypical ways possible ("peace pipe" passing, referring to them as "Red-men", etc.), but there is also a quote in the song used in the scene that suggests they were white at one point in time but their skin color changed from blushing for too long after a woman's kiss. Also J.M.Barrie's original play and novel portrayed them much in the same as a savage unsophisticated group of people which were erroneously referred to as "Indians".
If the original works are created with a positive portrayal of the different groups of people present, then it's disheartening to see roles in an adaptation completely disregard the racial aspect of the portrayal. But in this instance, seeing that the original concept was thought up by a Scottish man who lived in the early 1900's, my guess is he wasn't exactly receiving expert advice on Native Americans and their historical way of life. So there isn't much of an argument to have these characters be portrayed by Native Americans based on the past iterations.
Now could this film take an opportunity to right the wrongs of the past and make a more positive role for Native American actors? Perhaps, but I think that "re-imagining" the characters as a group of non-race specific indigenous people is just as viable. Especially if you consider the former option could fail miserably.
Now this isn't to say that Hollywood doesn't have a problem with cultural diversity, even this film has all its' leading roles seemingly filled with Caucasian actors. But not having an actor from a race that has historically been poorly represented fill that role is likely a planned side-step as opposed to a careless choice. Maybe I'm wrong, and maybe I an just an ignorant racist jerk. Though I'm doubting it, your thoughts and opinions are welcome and appreciated.
as "native Americans." They're not from America, they're from Neverland.
