Hugh Jackman reminded BBC readers that today’s Hollywood stars are not always the best and brightest when it comes to their views on social issues. Jackman decided to use his BBC interview as an opportunity to fight back against the gender binary, and he says that award shows are the best platform to do so.
Jackman, who has been nominated for best actor this year for his role in The Son, had this to say to BBC.
“That would be a really positive step. I don’t understand why it’s split into just two genders when we all know it’s a much bigger spectrum.”
He goes on to explain that splitting these awards by gender is “divisive and unnecessary.”
Jackman also acknowledged that this merging of the best actor/actress category could prove to harm his chances of bringing home the away, adding that he “might have just shot myself in the foot.”
Some award shows have already made the switch away from gendered awards. Breitbart shared this statement from the Gotham Film & Media Institute last year.
“We are proud to recognize outstanding acting achievements each year, and look forward to a new model of honoring performances without binary divisions of gender. We are grateful to those who helped to start this conversation in recent years and we are thrilled that the Gotham Awards will continue to support artistic excellence in a more inclusive and equitable way.”
"*" indicates required fields
Interestingly, Jackman’s role in The Son is that of a father who is going through a divorce as the film explores the psychological toll that is taken on children during a parental split. He said this about the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
“There is a real lack of knowledge and ignorance and shame around the subject, and I think it’s something we need to confront, really, really quickly.”
According to BBC, the film was so jarring in its depictions of depression that psychiatrists were kept on set to help cast members get through the “upsetting material.” Jackman found this to be the correct decision.
“There’s a little part of the old school part of my brain [that thinks], ‘Well, that’s up to you to work out.’ If you need to go to a doctor, for whatever reason, your foot, your mental health, you know, you work that out.
But I think it certainly would be a sign from an employer that we understand taking care of the whole person, not just paying them, but taking care of their wellbeing in all forms is really, really important.”
The Son received mixed reviews, according to IMDB, where the film is showing a 6.2/10-star rating across 910 reviews. IMDB gives a brief description of the messy situation that the characters find themselves in.
“Peter has his busy life with new partner Beth and their baby thrown into disarray when his ex-wife Kate turns up with their teenage son, Nicholas.”