Marlon Brando in “The Godfather”, the film for which he did not want to receive the Oscar and sent a representative who was booed.
The Hollywood Film Academy apologized to the indigenous actress who almost 50 years ago it was whistled for turning down an Oscar on behalf of Marlon Brando, as a form of protest against the film industry’s treatment of Native Americans.
actress and activist Sacheen Featherwho belongs to the indigenous Apache and Yaqui communities, was interrupted at the 1973 Academy Awards as he explained why an absent Brando could not accept his award for Best Actor for The Godfather.
Brando had asked Littlefeather to decline the award in his name an act of repudiation against the attitude of the industry towards indigenous peoples from the United States.
For his work in “The Godfather”, Marlon Brando sends Sacheen Littlefeather in his place, who was abused when she announced that the actor did not want the award.
The Apache actress told about it that night John Wayne wanted to attack her physically, but the security personnel managed to stop the emblematic western actor.
That incident happened behind the scenes, but was remembered this year and compared to the scandalous slap Will Smith applied to Chris Rock at the latest ceremony.
What the excuses say
“The mistreatment he suffered as a result of this statement was gratuitous and unwarranted,” says the letter of apology sent to Littlefeather earlier this year by then Academy President David Rubin.
“The emotional toll you have experienced and the cost to your career in our industry are irreparable. For too long, the courage you have shown has not been recognized.. For this, we offer our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration. “
Marlon Brando in “The Godfather”. Photo: EFE
The Academy published the letter announcing that Littlefeather had been invited to speak at the organization’s film museum in Los Angeles next month.
The museum, which opened in September 2021, has promised to address the “troubled history” of the Oscars, including racism. And it hosts a piece that alludes to Littlefeather’s harassment.
Piuma’s response
“As for the Academy’s apologies to me, we Indians are very patient peopleIt’s only been 50 years! “, jokes the indigenous activist in a statement.
Sacheen Littlefeather in 2010. Photo: AFP
“We have to keep our sense of humor about this at all times. It is our method of survival,” he said, calling the museum invitation “a dream come true.”
“It is deeply encouraging to see how much has changed since I did not accept the Academy Award 50 years ago. I am so proud of every single person who will appear on stage” during the event, she added.
Compensation for lack of diversity
In recent years, the Hollywood Academy has made decisions and measures to address allegations of a lack of racial diversity in the most important industry awards.
In 2019, the protagonist of the last of the MohicansWes Studi became the first Native American actor to receive an Oscar, with an honorary statuette recognizing a prolific filmography that includes Dance with the wolves Y AvatarMoreover.
This year, in the proposal of the new members joining the Academy, 44% are women, 37% belong to “underrepresented racial communities” and 50% are from 53 territories outside the United States.
The event with Littlefeather, described as “a very special program of conversation, reflection, healing and celebration”, will take place on September 17th.
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Source: Clarin