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| Spike Lee Photo: Thomas Rome |
"The industry is so behind, it's ridiculous," said Spike Lee, accepting an honorary Oscar at the annual governors' awards dinner in Los Angeles. "We need to have some serious discussions about diversity and get some flavour up in this."
He was referring, he explained, to a situation in which it's easier for a black person to become president of the US than rise to the top of a film or TV studio. Walking through studio offices, he said, the only black people he would see would be checking names at the door.
Lee's comments were backed up by Denzel Washington, who accompanied him to the event. "Spike Lee has put more African-Americans to work in this business than anyone else," the actor said.
Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs, who hosted the event, agreed that there is a problem and said the industry has just started a new programme to encourage diversity in hiring practices.
The event was also attended by Meryl Streep, Michael Caine, Will Smith, Johnny Depp, Cate Blanchett, Danny Boyle, Roger Deakins, Daniel Craig, Todd Haynes, Michael Keaton, Helen Mirren and more. Gena Rowlands and Debbie Reynolds also received honorary Oscars.
