DEPICTION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN ‘TWILIGHT’ OUTRAGE NATIVE AMERICANS
Indigenous Portal has written a very interesting article about the anger that Native Americans are expressing over the depiction of Native Americans in the ‘Twilight’ franchise.
Below is an excerpt from the article:
Native Americans are outraged over what they hold as deceptions in and around the production of the Hollywood film series “Twilight.”With the commercial success of Twilight, Hollywood is abuzz with agents molding, fitting, and pushing their celebrity actors to pass as Native Americans.
“The Twilight Series is one of few commercial films, a script, and a story with Native American roles.” said Lydia Ponce. “It is a sad day to see that the big power agents are marketing Filipino and Asian celebrity actors to play Native Americans. These are such rare opportunities. When films like Twilight knowingly and willfully select non-Native American actors to play Native roles, it sends the message that we’re not good enough to represent
ourselves.”Not so long ago Old Western films hired Caucasian actors who were painted a brownish-red and wore wigs to portray Native peoples. Continued insult and injury further perpetuating bias, stereotypes, and racism, was so very wrong and evil then and now. Hollywood is using the tan spray and hair extensions again.
Twilight Vampire Movie Hollywood agents are instructing their talent to dig and find those ‘Native Roots’ and publicize their newfound Native American heritage in interviews conveniently in sync with current casting needs and trends.
Twilight’s lead actor Taylor Lautner, who allegedly just found his Native American roots, was given the extraordinary opportunity to play the lead in the film well after the “discovery” of his ethnicity.
In a recent MTV interview Lautner stated, “I am part Native American. We learned that through [preparing for] this film. I’m French, Dutch and German, and on my mother’s side, she has some Potawatomi and Ottawa Indian in her.”
However, in a film with such a strong Native American theme, only two actors of Native American decent were hired. But due to reasons unknown, Solomon Trimble (Apache) who played and established the character of Sam Uley, has suddenly lost his role.
Sam Uley’s character has been re-posted onto the Hollywood-casting breakdown, and it is obvious that Hollywood is now looking for a more marketable teen heartthrob celebrity actor to play the more substantial and very desirable part.
To read the complete article, click here.
(Thanks Shewasanicon)
First and foremost: This portion about Solomon being replaced is based purely on speculation. There has NO confirmation on if he is returning, or if he is being replaced. So don’t worry if you’re a fan of his, and don’t rejoice if you’re not a fan of his – because there may not be any truth to that part. (Also note that they mention that Vanessa has auditioned for the role of Leah, which has already been confirmed as false)
Aside from that, I agree with the article. I like Taylor in the role of Jacob, so guess that’s an exception for me – but for some of the other roles, I think it’s important to stay true to Stephenie’s original story and cast Native Americans.
What do you think of this article? Do you think Native Americans should be chosen for roles like Jacob, Sam, Leah, etc.? Or do you disagree with the article?
