Couple’s Retreat… No Blacks Allowed
Posted on 19. Nov, 2009 by JohnCByrdIII in Entertainment
Universal’s international release of “Couple’s Retreat” came with a little bit of controversy when the poster used to promote excluded the Black actors.
A spokesman said the revised advertisement was implemented in an attempt to “simplify the poster to actors who are most recognisable in international markets”. Marketing Executives removed Black actors Faizon Love and Kali Hawk from the promotional poster used in the United Kingdom after the U.S. version used all four couples.
As noted in a 2007 New York Times article, American films with black stars typically struggle in the overseas market. According to the article, Will Smith, the undisputed king of the American box office, ranks no better than twelfth when it comes to ticket sales internationally. Simply put, said industry watcher James Ulmer, “The international marketplace is still fairly racist.”
In my opinion, excluding the Black actors was a smart move. Ultimately, both Love and Hawk would receive more money in pocket and more exposure if their images were not used in the international promotion.
Just think how funny it will be to see all those racist forieners’ faces when Love drops the draws and bares all. Who knows? This just may be the image needed for Blacks to “penetrate” the international market.
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