Was There Need For The Italians To Apologise?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/10543630/Italian-distributor-of-12-Years-a-Slave-apologises-for-inappropriate-posters.html

Oh dear how much more ridiculous can these racist accusations get?

Surely there is nothing wrong in featuring a mega star such as Brad Pitt on the poster of a film in which he stars in, regardless of the fact that he appears less in the film than a black actor?

In defence of the Italians, I would say that perhaps they are not so PC aware as we and the Americans seem to be.

[bazwillrun]

"Oh dear how much more ridiculous can these racist accusations get? "

oh, dont worry theyll get more ridiculous, its a big self serving industry, run by pc infected lunatics running around like a pack of dogs foaming at the mouth, always ready to look for any possible infraction that they decide just possibly could be interpreted as racist in their own little twisted warped minds, and if none exists..well make one up ...bit like the spanish inquisition, maybe worse.

ok, they havent started burning people at the stake just yet, but theyre full on with their particular brand of stormtrooping blitzkreig methods of brainwashing and dictatorial methods.

And as far as i'm concerned you know exactly what they can do with it and into to which part of their anatomy they can shove it

[Zeuhl]

Another good demonstration of 'foaming at the mouth' there Bazzer PMSL

[THECORBYLOON]

' Brad Pitt has a small role in "12 Years A Slave," appearing toward the end of the harrowing film as a Canadian man who helps facilitate the release of the enslaved lead character, Solomon Northup. Played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Northup appears in almost every scene in Steve McQueen's film, and it's his journey into hell that is chronicled in "12 Years A Slave." Not that anyone would guess that if they only saw the film's Italian poster.' Do you think that Pitt is the star of the film still?

[Zeuhl]

/In defence of the Italians, I would say that perhaps they are not so PC aware as we and the Americans seem to be./

Why would aog imagine that?

The criticisms originated from Italians in Italy.

In reality, this is nothing to do with racism - it's Box Office.

There is a long tradition of posters misrepresenting movies in the hope of attracting audience. In this case the distributors seem to have over done it.

[anotheoldgit]

THECORBYLOON

/// Do you think that Pitt is the star of the film still? ///

Maybe not but Bradd Pitt is more of an audience puller that someone called Chiwetel Ejiofor, and that is what it is all about 'bums on seats'.

[THECORBYLOON]

Why not just mention his name on the poster then, rather than have his picture dominating it?

[jno]

that is what it is all about 'bums on seats'

I believe it's all about slavery. By making it seem as if the takings were more important the subject, the distributor made itself look stupid.

[wolf63]

AGO - you old cynic. Have a Happy New year boys. :-)

[jno]

now you know what iot's like to be a slave, wolf... happy new year to you and your master

[ludwig]

// Do you think that Pitt is the star of the film still? //

He isn't, but it's not racism that made them put a massive photo of his head on the poster, it's commercial interest.

They obviously think that Italians are more likely to go and watch a Brad Pitt film that a Chiwetel Ejiofor one.

That would be fine if it weren't for the Fassbender one. I can't really make the same argument for that one.

[anotheoldgit]

THECORBYLOON

/// Why not just mention his name on the poster then, rather than have his picture dominating it? ///

Obviously yo know little about advertising methods, the image has much more effect than the written word.

[Zeuhl]

It's an ill-conceived campaign whichever way you look at it.

Apparently it's an excellent film, buy anyone who buys a ticket primarily to see Brad is likely to be disappointed.

And is there a poster featuring Ejiofor?

That would have been a smarter thing to do, even if the different versions weren't placed in equal numbers

[anotheoldgit]

jno

/// I believe it's all about slavery. By making it seem as if the takings were more important the subject, the distributor made itself look
stupid. ///

The distributor would be a fool not to think that the money was more important than the subject.

This is a commercial film made to make as much money as it can, not a state sponsored documentary made simply to get a certain message across.

[Svejk]

You'd think the yogurt-knitters would be happy that more young people are conned into watching the film.

[jim360]

I sometimes wonder if, in baz's world view, Racism stopped being a thing in the 90's or something.

As to this poster -- well, commercialism triumphs over good taste, but I think AOG's right that it wasn't racist.

[Zeuhl]

Lol

That Svejk thinks Brad Pitt attracts 'young people'

[Booldawg]

people complain, people apologise; its more about indignancy than racism. But then again, I think we all know that.

[Gromit]

Nothing to do with PC or racism.

The Star is an unknown and his face is unlikely to sell the film. It was

Nothing to apologise for.

If he becomes famous, then I am sure he will feature prominantly on future posters.

[bazwillrun]

its the same old black guilt trip with these people, hell knows what they do when thney cant find anything to throw the racist slur at

must be a dead boring insignificant little existence for them.....oh hold on

[bazwillrun]

"If he becomes famous,"

well tha aint gonna happen is it