Actor Bradley Cooper has been at the heart of a controversy since the release of the trailer for his next film, in the United States. While writing and directing the film Maestro, telling the life of Jewish composer Leonard Bernstein, whom the actor also plays on screen, he is accused of “Jewface”. For the role, Bradley Cooper must wear a rather large nasal prosthesis, in order to stick as closely as possible to the physique of the conductor. However, this decision has been blamed for being a variation of “Blackface”, a practice in which white actors blacken their faces in order to play black male roles.
But the three children of the composer of the musical West Side Story defended the actor, Wednesday August 16, on the social network X (formerly Twitter). They claim to “completely agree” with his decision to “use tricks to amplify his likeness” to their father.
“Leonard Bernstein happens to have a nice big nose,” Jamie, Alexander and Nina Bernstein wrote in their statement. “We’re also sure our dad wouldn’t have had a problem with it. »
The question of whether or not actors, especially white actors, should portray real-life ethnic minority characters has swirled around Hollywood for several years and has recently extended to roles of Jewish characters.
With Maestro, Bradley Cooper (A Star Is Born, Very Bad Trip) tackles Leonard Bernstein’s troubled relationship with his wife, Felicia Montealegre, played by Carey Mulligan. The film, which is due to premiere at the Venice Film Festival, could make him a contender for the Best Actor Oscar.
