To Whitewash or Not To Whitewash?

To cast a Latina actress for a Latina character or to cast a white actress for a Latina character? That is the question! Although the answer should be simple.

There has been much controversy surrounding the subject of casting white and/or white passing actors for roles intended for people of color. This practice within films is known as whitewashing, and according to Tom Brook of BBC, "The practice of casting white actors in non-white roles is still prevalent in Hollywood – despite widespread condemnation and protest."  A recent example of this is shown in the casting of Scarlett Johansson, a white actress, in the film "Ghost in the Shell" where the protagonist of the film is Asian.

In some cases actors cast in film and television do come from descent of the race which the character itself is of, however they are cast because they are "white passing." As the protagonist for our short film is a woman of color, we want the actress presenting our character to be of Latina descent, and to have the appearance of it.

We intend on casting our friend Jessica Granados as the actress for our film. She is of Cuban and Chinese descent, and it is apparent in her features. She is a high school senior like our protaganist Jasmin and is incredibly willing to help us. I find it important to find an actress who is the same age/around the same age as our character so that the film appears more realistic.

Until next post,

Nicole Abuid

Stimac, E. (2003, Nov 12). Not Acting Your Age: Playing Older or Younger Than You Are. Retrieved from https://www.backstage.com/news/not-acting-your-age-playing-older-or-younger-than-you-are/

Byford, S. (2016, Nov 13). Ghost in the Shell director defends controversial Scarlett Johansson casting. http://www.theverge.com/2016/11/13/13613614/ghost-in-the-shell-director-defends-controversial-scarlett-johansson-casting. 

Brook, T. (2015, Oct 6). When white actors play other races. http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20151006-when-white-actors-play-other-races