Joaquin Phoenix calls out 'systemic racism' at the BAFTAs

Joaquin Phoenix
(Image credit: Tolga Akmen / Getty Images)

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."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

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

See more
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.