Actor Joaquin Phoenix has used his BAFTA 2020 acceptance speech to call out "systemic racism" in the film industry, garnering praise from various personalities.
Receiving the best actor award for Joker on Sunday's British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards 2020, Joaquin Phoenix delivered a speech calling out the film industry for "systemic racism" due to the lack of diversity among the nominated creators and performers this awards season.
Phoenix said that while he felt "honored" to be in attendance and appreciated the support from the BAFTA organization, he was "ashamed" that actors of color were not afforded the "same privilege."
He said: "I feel conflicted because so many of my fellow actors that are deserving don't have that same privilege. I think that we send a very clear message to people of color that you're not welcome here."
"I think that's the message that we're sending to people that have contributed so much to our medium and our industry and in ways that we benefit from," he added.
BAFTA received widespread criticism after it was revealed last month that no people of color were nominated in the four film acting categories. A similar backlash was faced by the Academy Awards due to its predominantly white and male nominee list.
Phoenix explained: "I don't think anybody wants a handout or preferential treatment, although that's what we give ourselves every year. I think people want to be appreciated and respected for their work."
He even admitted that he was "part of the problem." "I have not done everything in my power -- not all sets I've worked on are inclusive," he claimed.
On Twitter, Actress Viola Davis and director Lulu Wang, who made The Farewell, were among those who praised him for the speech.
While Wang's film was nominated for best film not in the English language, no women were nominated for best director for the seventh consecutive year. She wrote: "An uncomfortable silence filled the hall for a long noticeable moment. Thank you Joaquin."
Meanwhile, Davis tweeted: "Thank you Joaquin Phoenix. For your honesty, solidarity AND courage. Well done."
