2023-08-17 18:05:00
Bradley Cooper is making a film about the Jewish composer, whom he also plays. The fact that he wears a prosthetic nose creates controversy.
LC with AFP, Source AFP The American actor Bradley Cooper is at the heart of a controversy after choosing to wear a nasal prosthesis for his role as Leonard Bernstein in the cinema. © ANGELA WEISS / AFP Published on 08/17/2023 at 6:05 p.m.
Actor Bradley Cooper has been at the heart of a controversy since the release of the trailer for his next film, in the United States. As he writes and directs the film Maestro, recounting the life of Jewish composer Leonard Bernstein, whom the actor also plays on screen, he is accused of “Jewface”. For the role, Bradley Cooper must wear a rather large nasal prosthesis, in order to stick as closely as possible to the physique of the conductor. However, this decision has been singled out because it would be a variant of “Blackface”, a practice in which white actors blacken their faces in order to be able to play roles of black men.
But the musical’s composer’s three children West Side Story defended the actor, Wednesday August 16, on the social network X (formerly Twitter). They claim to be “completely in agreement” with his decision to “use tricks to amplify his resemblance” with their father.
“It turns out that Leonard Bernstein had a nice big nose,” reacted Jamie, Alexander and Nina Bernstein in their press release. “We are also certain that our father would not have had a problem with this. »
Hollywood’s New Cases of Conscience
The question of whether or not actors, especially white actors, should embody real characters from ethnic minorities has agitated Hollywood for several years and has recently extended to the roles of Jewish characters.
With MaestroBradley Cooper (A Star Is Born, Very Bad Trip) tackles Leonard Bernstein’s tormented relationship with his wife, Felicia Montealegre, played by Carey Mulligan. The film, which is to be shown at the Venice Film Festival, could make him a contender for the Best Actor Oscar.
READ ALSOThe incredible testament of Leonard Bernstein, the genius of “West Side Story”The Bernstein children praised Mr. Cooper for “the depth of his commitment”. “It breaks our hearts to see any misrepresentations or misunderstandings of his efforts,” they added. Rather, they see criticism as “a dishonest attempt to downgrade a successful person.” “A practice we have too often observed against our own father,” they added.
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