Taika Waititi Criticizes Hollywood’s Failure To Address Diversity Issues, Urges Industry To Take Responsibility

Filmmaker Taika Waititi expresses frustration over Hollywood’s failure to address diversity issues and calls for action to fix them.

Taika Waititi, known for directing films like “JoJo Rabbit,” “Thor: Ragnarok,” and “Thor: Love and Thunder,” has always been vocal about representation in the industry. With his personal background in Maori and Jewish communities, Waititi has actively advocated for diverse storytelling.

Taika Waititi’s Criticism

During The Hollywood Reporter’s Raising our Voices luncheon, Taika Waititi criticized the white power structure in Hollywood for its inability to address diversity issues. He expressed fatigue with constant discussions about diversity, inclusivity, and representation. Waititi pointed out that the industry often relies on underrepresented communities to solve the problem, burdening them with the responsibility.

“You Broke It, You Fix It”

Waititi emphasized that Hollywood needs to take ownership of the problem it created. He compared the current situation to someone breaking into a house, stealing everything, and setting it on fire, only to suggest a conversation afterward. Waititi urged the industry to rebuild and get it right this time, stating that if they fail, they should keep trying until they succeed.

Misconceptions about Diversity

The acclaimed director cautioned against the misconception that every project must include representatives from every race, background, and experience. He emphasized that this approach is neither realistic nor authentic. Waititi pointed out that his own upbringing didn’t involve a group of friends where every ethnic group was represented. He questioned the practicality of such expectations.

Decolonizing the Screen

Waititi advocated for letting marginalized communities have control over their own stories. He urged the industry not to assign white showrunners to dictate the rules and structure of storytelling.

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