Richard Dreyfuss Criticizes New Diversity Standards for Oscar Contenders – Variety

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Oscar-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss has leveled some criticism of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ new diversity and inclusion standards, saying that the updated requirements to compete for an Oscar “make me puke.”

Dreyfus’ comments came during a wide-ranging discussion interview On PBS’ “Firing Line With Margaret Hoover,” where the actor discussed civics education in the United States, partisan rhetoric and the initiative to include diversity in the academy.

“It’s art. No one should tell me as an artist that I should succumb to the latest idea of ​​what morality is. What are we risking? Do we really risk hurting people’s feelings? You can’t legitimize that,” Dreyfuss told Hoover. “You have to make life life. I’m sorry, I don’t think there is a minority or majority in the country whose needs should be met like that.”

The four new Diversity and Inclusion Standards were first announced in 2020; They will be anchored at the upcoming 2024 Academy Awards, where two of the four must be met to submit a favor for Best Picture. The four criteria are described as expanding on-screen representation, themes, or narrative; Expanding representation among creative leadership and department heads; providing access to industry and opportunities for underrepresented population groups; And expand representation in audience development.

Dreyfus’ comments continued in his defense of Laurence Olivier’s performance in 1965’s “Othello,” in which the English actor played Shakespeare in blackface.

“He played a black man brilliantly. Am I told I’ll never have the chance to play a black man? Is someone else being told that if he’s not Jewish, he shouldn’t be playing [in] ‘The Merchant of Venice’? Are we crazy? Dreyfuss stated. “This is very bigoted. It is thoughtless and treats people like children.”

Dreyfuss’ highlights include “Jaws,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “American Graffiti,” and “W.” and “Mr. Dutch Opus.” He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for ‘The Goodbye Girl’. The interview with Dreyfuss also touched on renewed efforts to control the curriculum and ban some books in public schools.

“I think we are cowards. Republicans are sending their kids to schools hoping and praying for their kids to come back. Republicans and Democrats are sending their kids to school urgently, and praying for their Democrat kids to come back,” said Dreyfuss. “The idea of ​​a parent going into a public school and saying, ‘I don’t want my kids to be exposed to opposing views. ” that’s wrong.”