Joaquin Phoenix castigated the film industry for “systemic racism” during his acceptance speech Sunday evening at the British Academy Film Awards.
After accepting his award for lead actor and thanking the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, the Joker actor said he was “conflicted because so many of my fellow actors that are deserving don’t have that same privilege.”
The academy was criticized when an all-white list of nominees was released for the categories of leading actor and actress and supporting actor and actress. The chair of BAFTA’s film committee, Marc Samuelson, acknowledged the “infuriating lack of diversity in the acting noms” to Variety.
Phoenix continued: “I think that we send a very clear message to people of color that you are not welcome here. I think that is the message that we’re sending to people that have contributed so much to our medium and our industry — and in ways that we benefit from it.”
The actor was nominated alongside Adam Driver, Leonardo DiCaprio, Taron Egerton, and Jonathan Pryce.
Joaquin Phoenix accepts his Leading Actor award for his performance in @jokermovie #EEBAFTAs #BAFTAs pic.twitter.com/1nK49CjrJo
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 2, 2020
“I don’t think anybody wants a handout or a preferential treatment, although that is what we give ourselves every year,” Phoenix said. “I think that people just want to be acknowledged and appreciated and respected for, for their work.”
Though he slammed the academy and industry, Phoenix also admitted that he was “ashamed” to be “part of the problem.”
He explained he had not done all he could to guarantee sets he works on are “inclusive.” But Phoenix said he believed “that it’s more than just having sets that are multicultural.”
“I think that we have to really do the hard work to truly understand systematic racism,” he added. “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 that dismantle it. So that’s on us.”
Prince William also touched on the lack of diversity at the BAFTAs, mentioning the “incredible filmmakers, actors, producers, directors, and technicians — men and women from all backgrounds and ethnicities enticing our lives through film” all over the world. He added that needing “to do more to ensure diversity … simply cannot be right in this day and age.”
This is not the first time Phoenix has been outspoken at award ceremonies this year.
At the Golden Globes, the 45-year-old made a swipe at climate activists in Hollywood during his acceptance speech for best actor in a motion picture.
“It’s great to vote, but sometimes we have to take that responsibility on ourselves and make changes and sacrifices in our own lives and hope that we can do that,” he said. “We don’t have to take private jets to Palm Springs for the award sometimes, or back. Please. And I’ll try to do better, and I hope you will, too.”
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama goes to Joaquin Phoenix for “Joker”. #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/QCEAo33CYd
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) January 6, 2020
Designer Stella McCartney said that Phoenix chose to wear the same tuxedo “for the entire award season to reduce waste” and that he wears her designs “to make choices for the future of the planet.”
Days later, he flew across the United States to address a climate change rally in Washington with actress Jane Fonda.
“The meat and dairy industry is the third-leading cause of climate change,” he said. “I think sometimes we wonder, ‘What can we do in this fight against climate change?’ and there is something you can do today, right now, and tomorrow, but makes a choice about what you consume.”
He noted he couldn’t avoid some things, such as flying to be at the rally, but he was able to change eating habits and encouraged others to join him.
Both Phoenix and actor Martin Sheen were arrested during the rally.
