After much criticism regarding an organization called the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) , many major film studios have unanimously “boycotted” this organization because of many rude questions and comments related to actors. Recently, actress Scarlett Johansson also officially called for a boycott of this association, based on her own experience of being “harassed”.
The HFPA is an organization of journalists for newspapers published outside the United States, famous for founding the Golden Globes. According to Variety , Scarlett Johansson revealed that she had to avoid HFPA press conferences many times because of “very sexist questions and comments”. In addition, the actress also said that the film industry in Hollywood should boycott the HFPA until there is a change from the organization.
The HFPA is famous for creating the Golden Globe Awards.
“As actors, when we promote a film, we are expected to participate in awards season by attending press conferences and major awards shows. In the past, this has also meant facing sexist questions and comments from HFPA members, sometimes to the point of sexual harassment. That’s why I have refused to attend their conventions for many years,” Scarlett Johansson said. “Unless there is a major overhaul of the organization, I think it’s time to eliminate the HFPA and focus more on the importance and power of the film industry coming together.”
Before Scarlett Johansson, the wave of criticism against the HFPA was initiated by Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who said that the film studio would refuse to participate in any HFPA events until the organization reformed. Amazon Studios and many other organizations agreed with this statement, demanding that the HFPA make changes to protect the integrity and safety of their actors.
Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow movie is coming soon
Currently, the biggest film studio, Disney, is still silent, while the blockbuster Black Widow starring Scarlett Johansson is about to be released this July.
In February, the HFPA came under fire after an investigation by the Los Angeles Times revealed that it had not had a single black board member for two decades. The article also revealed that members were paid large sums of money and taken on lavish business trips. In April, the HFPA faced further criticism after its president, Phil Berk, sent an email to all members, saying the Black Lives Matter movement was motivated by “hate,” and was subsequently fired from the organization.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the studio will refuse to attend any HFPA events.
In the past, the HFPA has been repeatedly accused of accepting “lobby money” to get artists nominated and won awards. In 1981, a Golden Globe was awarded to actress Pia Zadora after her husband took HFPA members on a lavish trip to a casino in his private plane, causing the association to be heavily criticized.
Photo source: Synthesis
