I'm watching the Golden Globes

[PiccadillyCervix]

And just realized its a bit odd that they have male and female categories for best actor. I wonder why that happened, Fair enough weight lifting at the Olympics but can't actors compete against each other?

[AmandaPayne]

Yes, it's odd. Imagine the outcry if there was a category for white and black actors, etc.

However, there are so few good parts are out there for women that if they had to compete directly against men there would be very few women nominated. So amalgamating might at a stroke reduce female visibility for these awards.

[PiccadillyCervix]

Yes, it's odd. Imagine the outcry if there was a category for white and black actors, etc.

yes, that's exactly what I though.

But your second point makes sense it would just be a chance to dismiss female actors.. but it does seem odd, and seems even more odd to me that I never even noticed it before

[AmandaPayne]

I hadn't noticed it until you pointed it out, and now I wonder why not too. It makes even less sense when you think about things like music awards, where there is a more level playing field in terms of (opportunity for) achievement. Why should bands get an award, then male and female solo performers?

[PiccadillyCervix]

It is strange, although playing devil's advocate for the music industry men and women often have different qualities in their voices so it may be easier to judge females against females and ales against males? I could be talking shit though as I think I am probably tone deaf!

[AbigailAdams]

Well there are only half as many parts for women as men in films. And the film industry is very misogynistic so I am pretty glad that there are separate prizes for women otherwise they would never get a look in. Mind you it is pretty racist too. . See the world of literature as a comparison. You would think that there were only a few female authors given their representation in shortlists for prizes (and winners thereof). That was why the Orange prize was instated. Bidisha is good on that. All things being equal and all, I would agree with you.

I don't know about judging though. I think people are conditioned to not compare a woman to a man on the acting front. Not sure it would actually be that hard though.

[DSM]

How are you watchin? Is it on tv or online?

[DSM]

*watching

[ecclesvet]

OK, I'll bite, AbigailAdams. Why is Quentin Tarantino racist?

[feministefatale]

I'm in the states DSM, sorry

[feministefatale]

Not going to speak for Abigail but I think its weird that Hollywood has ignored black actors (for the most part) until movies about them were written and directed by a white guy.

[DSM]

Does anyone know if/when it's on in the uk?

[AbigailAdams]

Oh it was an interview I saw part of, the other day. He was explaining why he made the film Django Unchained, because he thought that black people needed a hero in the wild west (or words to that effect). A white dude telling black people what they need struck me as white privilege in action, again . I also believe that Spike Lee isn't amused and it is historically innaccurate (no surprise there then!) Mind you I am by no means an authority on this as I just caught all this in passing so if anyone has an alternative view point, I am happy to be converted (although I can't stand Tarantino for other reasons so my overall opinion of him isn't likely to be swayed).

[AbigailAdams]

And what feministefatale said too

[GunsAndRoses]

I missed this. Has it been on in UK?

[DSM]

Yes.. Was on 5USA on Monday night.

I'm not sure how I feel about the actor/actress thing. On one hand it is nice to be recognised as a woman in a field of expertise (or a man, if you are a man). On the other hand, why should actors have not share a 'best actor' prize?

Then I think about the roles they play.. A woman cannot play a man and vice versa. A black man cannot play a white man, and vice versa. So why not have separate awards for things which are specified? Acting is one of the only professions where equality and discrimination rules do not apply, for the simple reason that a white man could not play Rosa Parks. A black woman could not play Bill Clinton. Certainly not if the intention was to create a realistic visualisation - which is the primary goal of the film industry.

No idea what has made me reference american politican figures.

So, I guess I think it is no less appropriate than differentiating in sport - as some people simply cannot compete with others, so there are awards available to all in their field.