Joaquin Phoenix calls out 'systemic racism' at the BAFTAs

(Image credit: Tolga Akmen / Getty Images)

published 3 February 2020

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.

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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."

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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.

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