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In a letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences, double Oscar-winning director Ang Lee, "Star Trek"
actor George Takei and more than 20 other people criticized the
"tasteless and offensive skits" regarding Asians and asked to
ensure that people of all races are portrayed with dignity.
"In light of criticism over #OscarsSoWhite, we were hopeful that
the telecast would provide the Academy a way forward and the
chance to present a spectacular example of inclusion and
diversity. Instead, the Oscars show was marred by a tone-deaf
approach to its portrayal of Asians," said the letter.
The Academy, which has pledged to double its numbers of women
and minority members by 2020, apologized on Tuesday, saying that
it "regrets that any aspect of the Oscar telecast was
offensive."We are committed to doing our best to ensure that
material in future shows be more culturally sensitive" it added
in a statement.
February's Oscar ceremony was hosted by black comedian Chris
Rock, who lambasted Hollywood for its lack of diversity and in
particular the lack of African-Americans among the 20 acting
nominees for a second straight year.
The letter writers gave no details of their objections. But
members of the Asian community were upset after the show at a
skit in which Rock introduced three Asian children as Academy
accountants.
In another part of the ceremony, British comedian Sacha Baron
Cohen, appearing as a presenter, made an apparently off the cuff
remark about the size of Asian genitalia.
"We’d like to know how such tasteless and offensive skits could
have happened and what process you have in place to preclude
such unconscious or outright bias and racism toward any group in
future Oscars telecasts," said the letter.
In addition to "Life of Pi" director Lee, the letter was signed
by former "Grey's Anatomy" star Sandra Oh, France Nuyen of "The
Joy Luck Club" as well as documentary makers and producers, all
of whom are already Academy members.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bernard Orr)
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