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]

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

err , in your opinion, yuo an expert on media marketing, specifically movies ? ...nah didnt think so

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

in your opinion...you film critic now ?...we all know what their opinions count for

"And is there a poster featuring Ejiofor?" who...oh the well know ejiofor

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

see earlier reply about marketing fims etc

[jim360]

Ejiofor's been around a while, mainly bit parts. This is really his breakthrough movie, and he's already picked up 17 awards for "Best Actor" and a host of other nominations. Also the film is about him and about his character. Brad Pitt's role is minor -- so although I still don't think it's racist it does misrepresent the film rather to have Brad Pitt as the lead attraction when, as has been mentioned, he only pops up towards the end.

It's not racist -- just a bit silly and clearly driven by commercial interests.

[youngmafbog]

As said, simply the distributer getting as much brass as possible out of it and looks like that has been well achieved with free advertising they couldn't buy. In this sort of business there is no such thing as bad publicity. (ask Hugh Grant)

Bit of advice to Chiwetel Ejiofor, think about changing your name to something more catchy or pronouncable, especially if you have aspirations of the US market!

[anotheoldgit]

Crikey Gromit and myself agreeing on a topic on the very last day of the year, marked you as the best answer for my New Year's present to you, have a good and healthy 2014.

I also extend those greetings to all on Answerbank.

[Zeuhl]

Baxter

Just out of interest...

Do you show your posts to your Support Worker or Therapist?

[THECORBYLOON]

'"If he becomes famous," well tha aint gonna happen is it.' To pose the question you asked, BAZWILLRUN, 'in your opinion...you film critic now ?'

[bazwillrun]

"so although I still don't think it's racist it does misrepresent the film rather to have Brad Pitt as the lead attraction when,"

so who else is going to sell the fim out of the list ( all two of them) of other illustrious thespians mentioned

this is yet another prime example of how the these pc idiots think

[pastafreak]

It would be a bit ironic if he changed his name for the American market. If any thing..his name will be MORE acceptable there. Its all about being proud of your race/ethnicity. And in a fact based film about slavery-even more so.

[Zeuhl]

err , in your opinion, yuo an expert on media marketing, specifically movies ? ...nah didnt think so /

Well I've worked in Marketing and Advertising for over 30 years and according to my billing for the Seminars I give, I am considered to be 'expert' in some areas

I worked specifically on Film and Publishing marketing in the early 80s

And yes Bazzer, they are just my opinions

But at least I have some

Your substitute seems to be slogans, vitriol and misguided personal attacks

[pastafreak]

Hmmm...should Mr Ejiofor take the name of whomever 'owns' him....?...or maybe just something plain like John Smith....?

[anotheoldgit]

jim360

/// It's not racist -- just a bit silly and clearly driven by commercial interests. ///

And isn't that what the film industry all about 'commercial interests', they don't spend millions of dollars just to get some kind of message over.

[jim360]

Seems to me AOG as if you're trying to preach to the converted there.

[Zacs-Master]

Well, I've never seen a Denzil Washington film advertised by a poster with white man featured as the main character.

[anotheoldgit]

pastafreak

/// Hmmm...should Mr Ejiofor take the name of whomever 'owns' him....?...or maybe just something plain like John Smith....? ///

Or perhaps Mohammed Akbar or similar, seeing that Arabs where the main slave traders, closely followed by fellow Africans.

[Zeuhl]

But not the customer

The demand from which drove the whole industry

Trying to shift blame because "Ali from down the road was doing it too" is contemptible and rather stupid

[anotheoldgit]

Zacs-Master

/// Well, I've never seen a Denzil Washington film advertised by a poster with white man featured as the main character. ///

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071402/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_53

[Zeuhl]

Aog

Now you just look silly

Death Wish is not a 'Denzil Washington film'

According to your own link he is listed 43 in a cast of 43 and was 'uncredited'

It was no more a 'Denzil Washington film' than it was a 'Lee Steele film'

[Zacs-Master]

I meant a DW film where he was the main star. Stop being obtuse.