Creative BAME talent must have ‘an equal playing field’

by LAUREN CODLING

CREATIVE people from BAME communities have urged the UK entertainment industry to do more to tackle racism and the lack of diversity and representation in TV and film in an open letter published last Sunday (21).

Signed by a number of prominent filmmakers, producers and writers, the letter called for “active engagement to tackle structural and systemic racism in (the TV and film) industry.” It noted that while messages condemning racism on social media may “inspire hope”, the UK industry “must put its money and practices where its mouth is”.

As Eastern Eye went to press on Tuesday (23), the letter had garnered more than 4,300 signatories, including a number of ethnic minority stars in the UK film and TV industry, such as Meera Syal, Michaela Cole, Gurinder Chadha, Asif Kapadia, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Himesh Patel.

Playwright Tanika Gupta and theatre director Pooja Ghai were both involved in creating the open letter, alongside film producer Nisha Parti and TV stars Syal, Indira Varma and Anita Rani.

Speaking to Eastern Eye on Tuesday, Gupta and Ghai both admitted that their motivation came from wanting to see equality in the industry.

“(The letter) is about us being able to have our lived experiences as creatives, and have them be on stage, TV and film in equal measures,” Ghai said.

Gupta echoed her sentiments, telling Eastern Eye: “We basically want equality in terms of work, and getting it out there for everybody.”

The letter has called on broadcasters and film studios to banish “weak excuses”, such as referring to ethnic minority stories as “too small” or “too risky”. It has also urged the empowerment of BAME independent producers and to “think outside the box” for new talent.

As well as representation on-camera, Gupta emphasised that there needed to be a focus on diversity behind the scenes.

“Too often we have films or TV shows that are made from a minority perspective, and yet there is not a single person of colour on the team, in terms of producing or working behind the camera,” she noted.

Ghai also believed that there needed to be more diversity at decision-making levels. “We need our teams to be fully representative, we need our voices to be part of the universal voice of this nation, this country and this industry,” she said.

Both Ghai and Gupta have worked in the industry for more than 25 years. They have regularly voiced support for wider diversity and representation in the industry.

Gupta said she has consistently seen the “same (BAME) faces” in the industry. Calling for more inclusivity and equal opportunity, Ghai said it was important to acknowledge there is a “huge talent pool out there”.

“We have to be given as many chances to be as successful as we do to fail,” she said. “It can’t be a one-shot game, because we need to develop our talent and give our talent the space to grow.

“All voices need an equal playing field.”