The new film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's award-winning Broadway musical In the Heights has been celebrated with positive reviews, but it's also stirred up some criticism with its casting choices. Namely, the distinct lack of dark-skinned actors in leading roles.
Online commentators have pointed to this failure to adequately reflect the Afro-Latino population of the Washington Heights neighbourhood where the film sets its scene. In response, Miranda has acknowledged the accusations of colourism and apologized.
"I started writing In the Heights because I didn't feel seen," he wrote in a statement posted on Twitter Monday night (June 14). "And over the past 20 years all I wanted was for us — ALL of us — to feel seen."
He continued: "In trying to paint a mosaic of this community, we fell short. I'm truly sorry. I'm learning from the feedback, I thank you for raising it, and I'm listening. I'm trying to hold space for both the incredible pride in the movie we made and be accountable for our shortcomings."
In the Heights, which was directed by Jon M. Chu, opened in theatres and on HBO Max over the weekend.
Read Miranda's full statement below.
Online commentators have pointed to this failure to adequately reflect the Afro-Latino population of the Washington Heights neighbourhood where the film sets its scene. In response, Miranda has acknowledged the accusations of colourism and apologized.
"I started writing In the Heights because I didn't feel seen," he wrote in a statement posted on Twitter Monday night (June 14). "And over the past 20 years all I wanted was for us — ALL of us — to feel seen."
He continued: "In trying to paint a mosaic of this community, we fell short. I'm truly sorry. I'm learning from the feedback, I thank you for raising it, and I'm listening. I'm trying to hold space for both the incredible pride in the movie we made and be accountable for our shortcomings."
In the Heights, which was directed by Jon M. Chu, opened in theatres and on HBO Max over the weekend.
Read Miranda's full statement below.
