Joaquin Phoenix calls out 'systemic racism' at the BAFTAs

Joaquin Phoenix didn't let the British Academy Film Awards off the hook for the lack of diversity among its nominees.

The Joker star on Sunday won the BAFTA for Best Actor in a Leading Role, in his acceptance speech saying he feels "conflicted" doing so. After all, this came as the BAFTAs this year was widely criticized for nominating only white actors, including two nominations for Margot Robbie in the same category.

"I think that we send a very clear message to people of color that you're not welcome here," Phoenix said in his speech. "I think that's the message that we're sending to people who have contributed so much to our medium and our industry in ways that we benefit from."

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Phoenix went on to admit that he's "part of the problem" because "I have not done everything in my power to ensure that the sets I work on are inclusive," but he went on to say that "we have to really do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism." He concluded, "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 to dismantle it. So that's on us."

The lack of diversity in the BAFTA acting nominees had previously been criticized by the organization itself, which promised to "review all aspects of our voting process." Brendan Morrow