"Yellowstone" is said to be filming right now and it is a new limited TV series that has already gotten flack over Native/Indigenous casting. Adam Beach (Suicide Squad) said this on his Instagram page, "Failure in diversity. I'm asking Native actors to stay away from this project. 'Yellowstone' is telling the world that there are no native actresses capable of leading a TV show. Unless your great, great, great grandparents are Cherokee." Kelsey Asbille has been cast in the TV series who is of Asian descent. It is not clear whether she has any Cherokee tribal blood or not.
Beach's protest came back in July of 2017. According to the "Internet Movie Database" (IMDB). The native male roles have already been cast. They include, Gil Birmingham, Atticus Todd, Jeremiah Bitsui and Kenneth Ruthhardt. Kelsey is listed as the lead native female character.
"Yellowstone" will premiere in 2018 with a 10-episode order for the Paramount Network. It.., "Follows the Dutton family, led by John Dutton, who controls the largest contiguous ranch in the United States, under constant attack by those it borders — land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first National Park."
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Many native performers and activists agree with Adam Beach. There are real Native/Indigenous actresses who could play Kelsey's part.
Native actor, Kenneth Ruthardt responded to Adam on his public Facebook page. (Here it is with added corrections for clarity). "I don't know Adam Beach, but I have seen his work. More recently, I read about his disapproval of non-Natives cast as Natives in productions. And I agree with him, but take exception to his call for Native actors to boycott certain projects."
"What would a boycott achieve? Nothing. The hard truth I learned about the film and television industry is, it is a business and it must make money. The only reason we are seeing Native actors on screen today is because a writer is hot at the moment and he can do what he wants. Just so long as it makes money. My second hand understanding is 'Wind River' was his (Taylor Sheridan's), first script and Hollywood said, 'no way.' He came back with 'Comancheria' (Hell or High Water) and Hollywood wanted a white deputy and less Indians. Try again. So he wrote 'Sicario' and that raked in $84 (million) and gets three (Oscar) nominations. Hollywood asked for more. 'Hell or High Water' gets nominated and he is the golden child. What would you like to do next? 'Wind River' and 'Yellowstone' get a green-light."
Let's say you boycott 'Yellowstone' because a non-Native is playing a Native. All it takes is a stroke of a pen and the Native story-line is gone and at least six Native actors don't work. Including me. When was the last time you saw six Native actors working on a TV show? I can't think of anything off the top of my head. If you said, 'Scalped' sorry. The TV show set on a reservation with an all Native cast, was recently shelved according to a reliable source. I saw the pilot and it is good (full disclosure, I'm in it). Studios wanted an, off-reservation perspective."
"'Wind River' has an off-reservation perspective and tells the brutal truth about contemporary Indian Country. Natives are upset about this film because another white savior is the main character and choose not to see it. I bought a ticket last weekend and if you boycotted this film. You missed a good story and nine solid performances by Native actors. Nine-Native-Actors. When was the last time you saw nine Native actors on the big screen? 'Smoke Signals', 'Skins'..., 20 years ago."
"I agree with Adam and think there are too many instant Indians in Hollywood and the glacial progress Natives have made in this industry is unconscionable. But a boycott does not help anyone and what people don't understand is (that) acting is a profession. Just like the profession you choose to pay the bills. Do you agree 100% with the corporation you work for and its values? Are you going to quit your job tomorrow because an action they took is not aligned with your values? Doubtful. I would love to pick and choose what projects I work on and maybe one day when I'm well into my acting career. I'll seek the approval of a Native Nation before I accept a role. Until that day comes I am going to work."
"Yes, the system is broken, but we need to take what we can and work to make it better. Indian Country does this by working on shows, purchasing tickets, watching TV shows, writing content and financing projects like the 'Tunica-Bolixi' Tribe of Louisiana did."
"Or we can boycott productions and completely disappear."
Taylor Sheridan wrote and directed "Wind River" (2017) that has gotten rave reviews. As of Sept. 18, 2017. It has made $34,784,967 (million) at the world wide box office.
Taylor Sheridan wrote and directed "Wind River" (2017) that has gotten rave reviews. As of Sept. 18, 2017. It has made $34,784,967 (million) at the world wide box office.
1 comment:
Another element that makes it award winning is the cool outfits that have worn by howdy actors of famous series. the Series was fantastic all the character are good one thing i loving it in the series all the actress wearing amazing Yellowstone Jacket Collection that was brilliant!
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