Chance the Rapper has had his say on new Netflix original movie Bright and he is unhappy with how the film handles racism.
With a budget of $90 million and a sequel already confirmed (perhaps too soon), Bright portrays a alternate world in which humans live alongside orcs, fairies and other mythical creatures. Will Smith plays a policeman who is paired up with the LAPD’s first orc cop, played by Joel Edgerton.
Directed by Suicide Squad’s David Ayer, the movie has gotten pretty divided reviews so far with many disliking the film (we ourselves found it rather “bland” – full review here) though it has picked up fans too.
The latest to add his voice to criticism against the movie is musician Chance the Rapper, who views Bright as a missed opportunity and says its attempt to portray race relations in America is “shallow.”
His comments have sparked a debate over the film’s content and metaphors:
Wondering how you guys are feeling about the lynched ork in #Brightmovie
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) December 27, 2017
I found the way they tried to illustrate americas racism through the mythical creatures to be a little shallow. #Brightmovie
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) December 27, 2017
I always feel a lil cheated when I see allegorical racism in movies cause that racism usually stems from human emotion or tolerance but not by law or systems the way it is in real life. The characters in #Bright live in a timeline where racism is gone... cause we hate ork now 🤨
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) December 27, 2017
One user joined his debate, saying, “If I had to complain about anything… it’s about the indirect relationship of orcs to black people. That was weird to me.” Chance responded:
I think the idea is that they’re a step below bottom of the spectrum blackness. Which is why Will’s character, the Mexican cop and the ork have that dialogue in the street. https://t.co/LaFMysw2WG
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) December 27, 2017
Another user suggested the creators weren’t “trying to make a metaphor.” Chance pointed to a controversial scene where Smith’s character says, “Fairy lives don’t matter,” in reference to the Black Lives Matter movement. The film’s writer, Max Landis, subsequently tweeted, “I believe the ‘Fairy Lives Don’t Matter’ line was an adlib by Will Smith, but I don’t know for sure.”
Via Twitter
