Hollywood star Matt Damon given a black, female film producer a lesson in diversity, and the internet is not happy about it. Courtesy: YouTube/ChoorV
Matt Damon has apologised for comments regarding diversity in filmmaking that sparked widespread backlash, after a portion of a conversation from HBO's Project Greenlight circulated online.
In the segment, Damon was shown shutting down producer Effie Brown (Dear White People) who made a case that a script dealing with sensitivesubjects like prostitution should have a diverse directing team behind it.
Damon responded that diversity should be handled in "the casting of the film, not in the casting of the show".
In a statement, Damon said he believes "deeply that there need to be more diverse filmmakers making movies".
His comments, he said, were part of a broader conversation that did not make the show.
He also apologised for any offence caused, but is happy that it started a conversation.
In the clip, Brown voices concern about how the director might treat the only black character in the film - Harmony, a prostitute who gets hit by her white pimp.
Damon interrupted Brown, saying they should pick a director based on merit, not diversity.
