Highsnobiety
Double Tap to Zoom

Joaquin Phoenix delivered a powerful speech about the film industry's lack of diversity while picking up the Best Actor BAFTA award for his role in Joker.

Last month, he used his Golden Globes award speech to address Hollywood's sustainability problem. But at last night's ceremony, his attention was squarely focused on the lack of representation of people of color within the film industry and the unfair privilege enjoyed by white actors.

“I feel conflicted because so many of my fellow actors that are deserving don’t have that same privilege. I think that we send a very clear message to people of color that you’re not welcome here,” he said. “I think that’s the message that we’re sending to people that have contributed so much to our medium and our industry, and in ways that we benefit from.”

Watch the full speech below.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this YouTube video.

As with his sustainability speech at the Golden Globes, he acknowledged that he hasn't always acted to address the issues he was calling out. Nevertheless, he called on industry figures who benefited– as he does– from systems of oppression “to be the ones that dismantle it. So that’s on us.”

In an industry historically dominated by people who create and profit from systems of oppression, Phoenix's speech didn't appeal to everyone. The Farewell director, Lulu Wang tweeted that an uncomfortable silence followed Phoenix's speech.

We Recommend
  • In Blue Camo, Nike's Clean Lace-Free Air Maxes Are Anything But Invisible
  • Yohji Yamamoto Dressed an All-Powerful adidas Running Shoe In Luxe Leather
  • The adidas Samba Is Quite Powerful at Its Most Rugged
  • New Balance’s Dad Shoes Are Extra Powerful as Chunky Dad Slides
  • In Bold "University Red," Nike's Slip-on Air Max Sneaker Wants Attention
What To Read Next
  • Only Y-3 Could Create a Luxe Leather Military-Level Stealth Boot
  • adidas’ Olympic-Grade Sneaker Is Living in the Future
  • Nike’s Newly Waterproof Dunk Dives Into the Dark
  • Silly-Sleek Styling For a Y2K Nike With Some Spring in Its Step
  • The Bulbous Basketball adidas Shoe Is Now Intimidatingly Clean
  • AG Jeans Has Denim Down to a Fine Art