Yet another intriguing issue has been raised by Angelina Jolie. This time it’s Jolie’s portrayal of Mariane Pearl in the upcoming film ’A Mighty Heart.’ Already some in the blogoshpere have dubbed Jolie’s acting a performance in blackface. They’ve got this one all wrong.

I get a little rush whenever I hear that a role originally written with a white actor* in mind has been cast with a black actor. In the world of fiction, I think the actor or actress who most distinctly captures the director’s vision for the film is the one who should be cast, without regard to color of skin. Yes, there is a paucity of meaty roles for actors of color; the myriad reasons for that I will save for a future post. And ask any actor and they’ll tell you there are very few good roles out there for anyone. On the other hand, I am still miffed that Oliver Stone cast a white actor in the role of Jason Thomas, the African-American hero who located John McLoughlin (played by Nicolas Cage) and Will Jimeno (played by Michael Pena) in the rubble of 9/11 and saved their lives. I resent the presence of the white actor because Stone’s ‘World Trade Center’ is presented as non-fiction, it is presented as a credible account of what happened. And as we move further from the actual event, this movie will be considered historically accurate. Given the reality that there are so few portrayals of African-American male heroism on the big screen; each and every one is precious.

Pearl told Jolie, ” ‘You are the only person I know who could play this role.’ I trust her and I think she understood me.” Globe and Mail Angelina Jolie’s Mighty Heart-Liam Lacey

The case with Jolie and Pearl is unique in a couple of ways. First, Mariane Pearl asked Angelina Jolie to portray her in the film.  Second, Pearl is of Afro-Cuban and Dutch ancestry and even without makeup, I think they favor each other.  As you’ll see in the clip, Jolie becomes Pearl. Yes, the make-up team has darkened Jolie’s skin and created a wig of hair coarser than her own. So what? There is nothing new or degrading here. Feature altering makeup and prosthetics are used all the time in Hollywood.  How many black actresses forgo their natural hair for long, straight weaves? Why then is that not degrading? In fact, Jolie is radiant as Pearl.

Either we stand for equal opportunity or we don’t. Halle Berry has been cast to play a white teacher.

Halle Berry has reportedly been cast in a new Dreamworks movie based on the life of Tierney Cahill, a white teacher. In Class Act, Berry will portray Cahill, the teacher from Reno, Nevada who was challenged by her sixth-grade students to run for Congress in the 2000. Cahill ended up losing her bid, but won 35 per cent of the popular vote. Producers have reportedly said they wanted to cast the best actress in the part, regardless of colour. China Daily

Actor* – Male or Female