Native Actors Walk off Set of Adam Sandler Movie
Adam Sandler's Ridiculous Six is in trouble amid allegations of racist and sexist representations of Native Americans.
We were trying to forget that Netflix has a deal in place to bring us four Adam Sandler original movies, but this was a particularly unfortunate way to be reminded. A group of Native American actors have walked off the set of Ridiculous Six, the comedy western currently in production, citing racist and sexist humor as the reason.
Actor and cultural consultant Loren Anthony says "There was about a dozen of us who walked off the set," before going into more detail:
"One thing that really offended a lot of people was that there was a female character called Beaver's breath. One character says 'Hey, Beaver's Breath.' And the Native woman says, 'How did you know my name?'"
David Hill, a 74 year old member of the American Indian Movement was among those who walked off. "We understand this is a comedy, we understand this is humor, but we won’t tolerate disrespect."
Allison Young spoke to the producers and apparently didn't get the most heartening response. "They just told us, 'If you guys are so sensitive, you should leave.'"
The above quotes come from Indian Country Media Today who have more accounts of unfunny incidents from the set.
A representative for Netflix spoke with TMZ, stating "The movie has ridiculous in the title for a reason: because it is ridiculous," adding that the cast ""is not only part of -- but in on -- the joke."
Somebody needs to tell this Netflix rep doing "damage control" that if you have to explain a joke it isn't funny (like most Adam Sandler movies of recent years) and that if you have to point out that something is satire then your satire is an abject failure...like recent Adam Sandler movies at the box-office.