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Brie Larson, is the star of Captain Marvel, the next Marvel movie which will be released in just under a month on March 8th. As the film is about to come out, it's time to really amp up the publicity. Larson chose to do this in a way that is intentionally inclusive: by making sure that her interviewers and the critics reviewing the movie aren't "overwhelmingly white male."
Larson handpicked black, disabled journalist Keah Brown to interview her for Marie Claire.
Larson had noticed that there was a distinct lack of diverse voices reviewing films, and wanted to change that.
"About a year ago, I started paying attention to what my press days looked like and the critics reviewing movies, and noticed it appeared to be overwhelmingly white male. So, I spoke to Dr Stacy Smith at the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, who put together a study to confirm that. Moving forward, I decided to make sure my press days were more inclusive."
Being able to see yourself represented in the world and on-screen is so important.
Brie spoke about her first experience with feeling truly represented in film in her interview with Keah:
"It's so interesting, as it's not something I thought about until I was in the cinema watching Wonder Woman. About two minutes in, I was sobbing and thought, "Why am I crying so much over this?" But it was seeing all of these warrior women who were so self-sufficient. That wasn't something I identified with growing up – my hero was Indiana Jones. To have the chance to be one example of this is powerful and exciting."
There was plenty of support for Brie's efforts on Twitter.
@IndieWire @brielarson @thatstarwarsgrl @MarvelStudios @Marvel @WomenOfHistory if you can use power to be a positiv… https://t.co/y8vCfBKEyX— King Johnson 👑 💘 🌟📚 🌳 🌎 💡 (@King Johnson 👑 💘 🌟📚 🌳 🌎 💡)1549988947.0
@IndieWire Love it. Here’s a great example of acknowledging your privilege and putting it in check, taking steps to… https://t.co/iLzmbojqcD— Ebil (T. Kumari) (@Ebil (T. Kumari))1549980615.0
THANK YOU @brielarson you TRULY are a superhero. Most people think many voices of color are best used to only black… https://t.co/jwr8jgOvHv— Jay Washington (@Jay Washington)1549938785.0
Thank you so much @brielarson for speaking out and bringing attention to this issue that many of us WOC have been d… https://t.co/NVAydfbGPJ— PayOrWait (@PayOrWait)1549938673.0
This is why I love @brielarson. As a latina woman, critic, and an entertainment journalist - this is just bad ass.… https://t.co/xlwSOfmpt5— Toni Gonzales (@Toni Gonzales)1549939384.0
That being said, pretty sure I'll be the only disabled critic at the film's junket, so I'll at least be in the same… https://t.co/v2eWAul5xM— Kristen Lopez (@Kristen Lopez)1549922052.0
It’s an excellent, heartening move on @brielarson’s part to pay attention to the gender breakdown of her interviewe… https://t.co/nSayAGUKAB— Courtney Howard (@Courtney Howard)1549934634.0
There was also, as can be expected on the internet, plenty of complaining. Luckily, much of this was shut down by fans.
@Nox1201 @IndieWire The last time there was this much "political build up" - it led to Black Panther. White men com… https://t.co/CRWvYnAvK5— Nomad 🏳️🌈👽🇺🇸🇨🇴✝️🌹 (@Nomad 🏳️🌈👽🇺🇸🇨🇴✝️🌹)1549989949.0
@WestHullensian @IndieWire 'Please diversify.' Yes, she's Satan.— Secunda Wood (@Secunda Wood)1549959953.0
@kcdowd @IndieWire Uh are you new? Let me help, welcome to Hollywod where one.hit movie gives you more power than GOD...for a minute lol— Secunda Wood (@Secunda Wood)1549959609.0
I can see already bad reviews for the #CaptainMarvel 🎥 from every white man with Inferiority Complex because of… https://t.co/OPzamXmQv1— Pau (@Pau)1549931852.0
@Lulamaybelle @johndegarson @brielarson Good on Brie Larson for wanting and getting a more diverse set of interview… https://t.co/yzJndxQNNa— Justin (@Justin)1549983739.0
Larson is gaining notoriety as the release of Captain Marvel nears, and it is good to see she is planning to use that influence to make a difference.