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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – The musical-turned-movie In The Heights has been released in theaters, but the film faces a casting controversy.
Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda is now responding to criticism regarding the lack of dark-skinned Afro-Latino actors in the film.
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As CBS2’s Dave Carlin reports, visiting downtown was Amy Perez, who says she loves the movie In The Heights so much that she’s seen it three times.
“The background dancers, everyone kind of embodied all types of colors and races,” Perez said.
But she agrees with those who raise questions of representation, including allegations of colorism – criticisms that the cast of the lead roles appeared to favor light-skinned Latinx actors.
“You would think they would have chosen someone, a darker complexion, so I can see it,” Perez said.
“I would say the main characters should have a certain variety of colors as well,” Jason Sanchez said.
The creator of the musical, who was also a producer of the film, Miranda apologized for not having more Afro-Latino representation, saying in part: “In trying to paint a mosaic of this community, we have failed. I am really sorry.”
-LMM pic.twitter.com/CHfdLgFUz3
– Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 14, 2021
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“He apologizes because it obviously wasn’t something he had in mind,” said Kecia Connor.
Colorism occurs when light-skinned minorities have more opportunities and privileges than their darker-skinned peers, or even family members, a problem that extends to many racial and ethnic groups.
“This colorism problem is actually happening in our own homes,” Perez said.
“That’s what Hollywood does, however,” Mercedes Arias said. “Put the leader in the lead and put the people who think they should be out there. “
“Do you think this is colourism?” Carlin asked.
“I believe it,” Arias said.
Carlin has spoken to people who have said they hope this conversation will bring heightened awareness of projecting into the future.
“They could have done better, but the movie is over. So now when the next movie comes out with a main Latino cast, they’ll do better, ”said Rebecca Wizov.
“It wouldn’t be a problem if people weren’t so divided in the world,” Connor said. “Someday all of humanity will have moved past these divisions and things like that.”
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Miranda has vowed to help in this fight, saying he is learning from the comments and listening.
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