Matt Damon faced backlash this week for his comments on diversity during the latest episode of HBO’s Project Greenlight, a show that helps young filmmakers get their movies made. Damon suggested that diversity behind the camera doesn’t matter as much as it does in front and issued an apology.
As previously reported, Damon’s comments came up while Dear White People producer Effie Brown was talking with contestants about making a racially diverse movie. For example, Brown suggested that a movie about prostitution and other sensitive topics should have a diverse team behind the scenes.
“When we're talking about diversity, you do it in the casting of the film, not in the casting of the show,” Damon said. Brown was obviously surprised, replying, “Wow, okay.”
On Wednesday, Damon issued an apology to Entertainment Weekly, insisting that his comments were “part of a much broader conversation about diversity in Hollywood and the fundamental nature of Project Greenlight which did not make the show.”
He continued, “I am sorry that they offended some people, but, at the very least, I am happy that they started a conversation about diversity in Hollywood. That is an ongoing conversation that we all should be having.”
After the show aired, Brown took to Twitter and also said she was happy that the show sparked a conversation.
Ooof! Wow! Okay. Thank you for watching the show and getting a great conversation started. I can't wait to hear you on the other episodes!
— Effie Brown (@dulynotedinc) September 15, 2015
Project Greenlight is produced by Damon and Ben Affleck.
image courtesy of Dara Kushner/INFphoto.com
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