Disney Caught ‘Browning Up’ White Actors to Avoid Hiring Asians
Film company hires white actors to play Arabs for Aladdin
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Disney has come under fire after it was caught 'darkening' the face of white actors to make them appear Asian for the filming of the new Aladdin in the film in Surrey, UK.
The film company has been accused of using white actors to play Arabs to avoid hiring Asian actors with many critics labeling its decision “just plain wrong” as it was being filmed close to multi-ethnic London.
Extra actor Kaushal Odedra said he "expects better" from filmmakers and producers who many have accused of racism.
Odedra went on to claim he has seen around 20 “very fair skinned” waiting to be "browned up" in makeup studios on the set.
“Disney is sending out a message that your skin color, your identity, your life experiences amount to nothing that can't be powered on and washed off.
"Failing to hire on-screen talent of the right ethnic identity to meet the clear needs of this productions is just plain wrong. We expect better from all filmmakers."
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The film, directed by Guy Ritchie, is based on the popular Disney film and is currently being shot in Surrey UK.
The location is just a few miles outside of London, a multicultural city with over million people of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Arab heritage live.
A Disney spokesman said: ““This is the most diverse cast ever assembled for a Disney live action production.
“More than 400 of the 500 background performers were Indian, Middle Eastern, African, Mediterranean and Asian
#Asian community? Are you sure I thought we were all English if you are born in England! #Disney Fury #Aladdin So this is just about skin tone, again! Or is this report suggesting that all #Asians in Surry are not #English? @WestmonsterUK @Telegraph again.https://t.co/3gL7MzdfNW
— Please do Retweet (@gmjuk) January 7, 2018
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“Diversity of our cast and background performers was a requirement and only in a handful of instances when it was a matter of specialty skills, safety and control, special effects rigs, stunt performers and handling of animals, were crew made up to blend in.”
According to TV director Riaz Mee, it was an “an insult to the whole industry” and “there’s no way that Asian extras could not have been hired to meet the needs of the film”.
“Failing to hire on-screen talent of the right ethnic identity to meet the clear needs of this production is just plain wrong. We expect better from all filmmakers.”
