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Black Women Race to Highlight ‘The Color Purple’ After Elizabeth Banks Ignored It In Critique of Steven Spielberg

Posted byBy Kiersten Willis | Published on: CommentsComments (0)

Elizabeth Banks criticized the lack of women represented in Hollywood movies, both on camera and behind the scenes.
(David Shankbone)

Actress Elizabeth Banks criticized director Steven Spielberg for not having a female lead in his films and Black women were not here for it, swiftly pointing out “The Color Purple” as an example.

“I went to [see] ‘Indiana Jones’ and ‘Jaws’ and every movie Steven Spielberg ever made, and by the way, he’s never made a movie with a female lead,” TheWrap reported Banks as saying while accepting an award from the non-profit group Women in Film Wednesday, June 14.

“Sorry, Steven. I don’t mean to call your ass out, but it’s true.”

When an audience member pointed out 1985’s “The Color Purple,” which starred Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, Banks moved on from the topic.

Many Twitter users took issue with Banks.

https://twitter.com/bravenak/status/875340115857428480

https://twitter.com/SigmaR3LLA/status/875341475499921408

https://twitter.com/EricHaywood/status/875340958790852609

In response to Banks’ statement, IndieWire Editor-at-Large Anne Thompson tweeted the Oscar-nominated film flopped before a responder questioned her.

The correction didn’t stop people from slamming Thompson.

https://twitter.com/NerdAboutTown/status/875344683999932416

https://twitter.com/freeblackgirl/status/875327736956452865

https://twitter.com/crissles/status/875341271249891329

https://twitter.com/ShaylaRacquel/status/875340512420663296

https://twitter.com/darleneturner53/status/875349088270790657

 

 

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