*“Think Like A Man” has been a huge success in the US, now it wants to do its thing overseas.
But it was stopped in its racks in France after being banned due to its supposed all black cast. A dubious reason if we ever heard one.
France has gradually tearing down its open arms reputation. The country was known to be something of a refuge for those escaping racial intolerance. However, recent politics and actions like this one have made France to look like a hypocritical nation, rebuilding on racial intolerance.
Global Voices exposed the issue recently:
“Surprising as it may be, the answer lies in the fact that the film has an all-black cast. French cinema is often pointed at for not fairly displaying all components of the country’s multiethnic population. Although the recent success of the movie Les Intouchables, which earned French African actor Omar Sy the Cesar award for Best Actor in 2012, caused great pride and hope among French nationals from Africa and the Caribbean, it was not to be the turning point for a deep and lasting change.”
So the fact that “Think” prominently features 2 white actors some how escaped the French powers that be is telling … and then some. One, JerryFerrara, even had a romantic scene with Gabrielle Union. We can only that didn’t meet the country’s quota of diversity.
An argument that was used during the Miss Black France pageant controversy was re-posted from the Facebook page “Negro News,” suggesting that the movie did not reflect the ideology the country promotes.
“The French state has had a sociopolitical strategy which favors interracial relationships rather than valuing communities,” the post reads. “In the comedy ‘Think like a Man’, the focus is on black couples.”
Sounds like a lot of double talk and racism, if you ask us.
Read/learn more at Clutch Magazine.
Everytime I hear some idiot regurgitating the lie that Europe is not racist, I have the overwhelming urge to put my fist through their face! The acceptance of one or two entertainers every now and then does not negate the fact there is as much racism in Europe, if not more, as in America. Please open your eyes and also do some serious research into the matter. The same goes for the rest of the planet people!
The movie will have problems in other parts of Europe and Asia as well. I have yet to see the movie. Many people in Asia don’t even know that the US has a sizeable black population.
I say SCREW THEM! And let’s keep it moving… go where you’re celebrated not hated!
Co-sign. Might be better focusing on the Caribbean and Africa. I enjoyed “This Christmas” which had an all Black cast and others as well. I also watch lots of old movies (even silent ones) with no Black cast members but ‘others’ can barely appreciate any production that doesn’t center around them.
Stop groveling for these mofos…and do like Nollywood/Bollywood and keep it moving.
I lived in Africa and even with notable black stars like Will Smith and Oprah, many people still think of America as white. Many studios have reservations about black films making money because many of them don’t have that international market to sell too. You would think that Think Like a Man and Act like a Women has made almost $100 million dollars in the US at the box office that it shows the movie has a wide appeal beyond just black audiences.
As many of you know, I cannot STAND Steve Harvey. That is no reason for me not to go see the movie though. I went to see it with my 19-year-old daughter on Mother’s Day. It was a good, fun movie. The ONLY part of it I did not like (besides Steve showing up every now and then with his incessant platitudes) was how in the end, the “Great White Father” shown in this photograph was the one who showed everyone (particularly the divorced man) how they were supposed to behave in a committed relationship.
My point is that the very thing I did not like about the movie should have the arrogant Europeans doing cartwheels.
It’s really sad and not fully appreciated how the rest of many parts of the world views Blacks through a racist/colorist lens. I work with folks from India (many of whom are darker than a lot of my family members) and they are always fretting about being too dark and think it’s great to straighten their slightly curly hair. I remember being in college and students from China bringing “darky toothpaste” with them from home.
I wasn’t surprised when the Brits vs Americans version of ANTM showed the darkest girl to reach the finals leaving of her own accord and saying that her spirit had been broken. This was shortly after they arrived in Hong Kong for the final competitions. Did they really expect the Asians to want a Black woman repping their products. I know Tyra knows better but then again it’s not like she really has any say in who wins! I just wish my 17yo daughter wouldn’t think the competition is real.
I got the urge to go to a matinee and thought I’d finally see the movie, only to discover that they only had TWO showtimes, and they both were in the evening. My area theater had relegated the movie down to only two late evening showings. I called to inquire about the reasoning as was told that it could be because of how the movie performed (which we all know the first two weeks it was number 1) and how old the movie is. I quickly pointed out to her the first fact, and also noted that ALL of the rest of the movies they were showing (I mean ALL) had five or more show times, and that a couple came out the same time and performed LESS. I was then directed to the “customer service” line LOL. So why should anywhere abroad be accountable when the LOCALS still find ways NOT to be!