Awkward moment Mads Mikkelsen is baffled when asked about the lack of diversity in the cast for his film set in Denmark around 1750
- Mikklesen stars in a mostly white cast, but the film is set in 18th century Denmark
An upcoming film set in 1750s Denmark has been accused of lacking diversity and at risk of being ineligible for next year’s Oscars due to new rules set in Hollywood.
The Promised Land stars James Bond actor Mads Mikkelsen as an 18th-century army captain struggling to raise his social status and maintain his values in an increasingly hostile climate.
Mr. Mikkelsen stars alongside a mostly white cast, and during an interview last week, a Danish journalist questioned the actor about the lack of racial diversity, which infuriated him.
The reporter asked him: ‘The film is entirely Scandinavian, so there is a lack of diversity, you would say, also new rules are implied in Hollywood…?’
Mr. Mikkelsen, who played the villain in Casino Royale, immediately shook his head and asked, “What are you doing?” before turning to his director in apparent disbelief.
The journalist then explained that Best Picture Academy nominees must adhere to new rules announced by the Oscars committee, which state that films must feature diverse lead or supporting actors, or have a large portion of the cast from a underrepresented group.
He asked: ‘It’s not because of artistic reasons, but because of a lack of diversity. Are you concerned about that?’, to which Mr Mikkelsen, 57, angrily replied: ‘Are you?
“You put us on the spot, so you answer the question.”
During an interview last week, a Danish journalist questioned Mr Mikkelsen about the lack of racial diversity – which infuriated him
Mikkelsen quickly snapped back at the reporter before looking at director Nikolaj Arcel
Mr. Mikkelsen, who played the villain in Casino Royale, immediately shook his head and asked, “What are you doing?” and turned to his director in apparent disbelief
Director Nikolaj Arcel then intervened and explained that the film did indeed feature an ethnically diverse character who was a victim of racism.
“We have a big storyline about a girl of color being subjected to racism, she was probably the only one (of color) in the entire country of Denmark at the time.
“It wasn’t a thought in our heads, I think it would be a bit strange, it’s just how it was in the 1750s,” Mr Arcel added as Mr Mikkelsen grinned next to him.
The historical drama is based on a novel inspired by a real person, Captain Ludvig Kahlen, and premiered at the recent Venice Film Festival.
In May, the Oscars committee announced new representation and inclusion standards for a film eligible for the awards, although this only applies to the best picture category.
The standards, which come into effect next year, are intended to encourage equal representation on and off screen to better reflect the diversity of cinema audiences.
They require that the film must meet the criteria of having at least one of the lead or key supporting actors, or that 30 percent of secondary roles be from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group.