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I was just reading an article about how there is a group of people disappointed with the casting of black actors for the movie. They talk about how it ruined the movie for them and how it wasn't even true to the book (even though both of the characters are described as have dark skin in the book). It made me mad and it also made me really question why people would feel this way.
I talked with a friend about it and I think it has to do with empathy. Our society doesn't want to empathize with black characters. We want to see them as evil. Why is that? What is so wrong with us as a society? Any thoughts?
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Just read an article about the things people have said on Twitter about this topic. One that stood out was a young woman who said something like "That awkward moment when you find out that Rue is some black girl, instead of the innocent little blond girl you imagined." The use of the words "some" and "innocent" freak me out. Black girls can't be innocent?
PersianMama
Just read an article about the things people have said on Twitter about this topic. One that stood out was a young woman who said something like "That awkward moment when you find out that Rue is some black girl, instead of the innocent little blond girl you imagined." The use of the words "some" and "innocent" freak me out. Black girls can't be innocent?
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Rue was also described as dark haired, and skinned in the book. She reminded Katniss of her sister via size and innocence.. it was Katniss' sister who was light haired. I think in addition to their narrow little world, those posters (young teens etc) lacked reading comprehension. As a side note, Katniss and most of her town people were olive complexion. So the light hair of her sister, and mother was unusual. Rue's fellow district member Thrasher was also described as dark skinned.What is sad is this is supposed to be the next generation. Hopefully its not a large cross section.
PersianMama
Just read an article about the things people have said on Twitter about this topic. One that stood out was a young woman who said something like "That awkward moment when you find out that Rue is some black girl, instead of the innocent little blond girl you imagined." The use of the words "some" and "innocent" freak me out. Black girls can't be innocent?
How awful :( Rue and Thresh are black in the books for sure. They took account of what the books said when casting - the casting call for Katniss was caucasian girls only, and I suspect they only considered black girls when casting RueI think Amandla Stenberg was a fantastic choice, she was so like my mental image of Rue
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Whenever there is a movie based on a book, there will be people complaining that the movie didn't stand up to the book. Rue is described as having brown skin in the book, so I don't get where people are upset at all. I would have expected more brown-skinned people to be honest. I will say that I was surprised by the casting of Cinna, but not necessarily based on skin color. It was more that for whatever reason I expected a more effeminate character. Of course, I've since read the last two books and have a different opinion of him.
I also read that people thought the Katniss character was too fat. That irritates me to no end. While most of Panem is starving, Katniss hunted and therefore had more food than the average person in her district. IMO, it is expected that she appears strong and not bone-thin.
Honestly this was such a popular movie that there were probably millions of people talking about, a writer searching for a story pulled out a couple of offensive ones and made a story out of it and tried to make it sound like a bunch of people had that opinion. I doubt that. You can find people who will complain about anything if you pick any topic in the world and survey a thousand people you will get a couple of boneheaded answers. Of course the media looking to shock will focus on the one or two boneheaded stupid things people say and ignore the millions of boring comments.
Yea but this was the same issue with a few recent movies. Nick Fury for one.. lots of issue with Samuel Jackson playing the Fury character. Now I could chalk it up to comic book geek issues (I am married to one, he was not upset) but still what does it matter as long as the screen play is close to the original story line?
Yes, as a former Steven King fan, (who was truly scared reading his book outside in broad daylight) that is true.. the screen play can be watered down, or changed to attract the audience. The movies just did not do justice towards his talent to weave a horrific tale. Lenny Kravtz was too cool, but yes not very feminine, more rocker style. In real life, Lenny Kravitz and the young actress who portrayed the Rue character, are Jewish, and Black. If anyone caught reruns of The Jefferson, Roxy Roker (Helen Willis) was his mom. I think Katniss had ribs sticking out by the time the game was over. Now why do I know all of this? I read book one last week, so I could discuss with the oldest son after our movie date. LOL
DrAmanda
Whenever there is a movie based on a book, there will be people complaining that the movie didn't stand up to the book. Rue is described as having brown skin in the book, so I don't get where people are upset at all. I would have expected more brown-skinned people to be honest. I will say that I was surprised by the casting of Cinna, but not necessarily based on skin color. It was more that for whatever reason I expected a more effeminate character. Of course, I've since read the last two books and have a different opinion of him.I also read that people thought the Katniss character was too fat. That irritates me to no end. While most of Panem is starving, Katniss hunted and therefore had more food than the average person in her district. IMO, it is expected that she appears strong and not bone-thin.
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