Brie Larson slammed for ‘white saviour role’ in new film Basmati Blues: ‘This is embarrassing’

The trailer sparked outrage online with many questioning why Larson accepted the role
Under fire: Brie Larson in Basmati Blues
Emma Powell15 November 2017
The Weekender

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Brie Larson has been accused of perpetuating stereotypes after sparking a race row online over her new film Basmati Blues.

Larson, 28, plays an American scientist who heads to India to sell genetically modified rice, only to later discover it will destroy the farmers she set out to help.

But the trailer has now come under fire, with some accusing film bosses of stereotyping Indian culture by having a white person “save” an Indian village.

The clip was branded “embarrassing” while others blasted it “white nonsense” and questioned why an Oscar-winning actress would take on the role.

One user tweeted: “So f****** done with Hollywood films of white people coming to save our souls & rice & lands! Blood Diamond formulaic b*******! Disgusted by @brielarson's choice, what a sellout! F*** the white saviour narrative in films...nothing is further from the truth! (sic).”

Another wrote: “I cannot believe Brie Larson is gonna be in a movie called... wait for it... Basmati Blues, where she plays a white savior helping out the local Indian population. Smh.”

Other stereotypes slammed in the two minute clip, which was swiftly deleted, include the portrayal of Indian food as too spicy and jokes about the discovery of supposed local traditions.

Basmati Blues was shot in 2013, but only recently received funding for distribution.

The uproar comes months after Ed Skrein stepped down from his role as Major Ben Daimio in the upcoming Hellboy reboot after learning that his character was of Asian heritage in the original comics.

Skrein said he was pulling out “so the role can be cast appropriately” following “intense conversation and understandable upset” over white washing fears.

Disney also came up against whitewashing accusations after casting Billy Magnussen in the upcoming live-action Aladdin remake.

Brie Larson - Style File

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