The set of Adam Sandler’s latest film, The Ridiculous Six, a satirical Western, became the site of a significant protest on Wednesday when approximately a dozen Native actors and actresses, along with the film’s Native cultural advisor, collectively walked off the production. The actors, primarily members of the Navajo Nation, cited repeated instances of disrespect towards Native women and elders, as well as gross misrepresentations of Apache culture, as the primary reasons for their departure. The incident has sparked widespread discussion about the portrayal of Native Americans in Hollywood and the importance of cultural sensitivity in filmmaking.
The actors’ grievances stemmed from a combination of script content, costume design, and on-set interactions with the production team. Specific examples of what they considered disrespectful included character names given to Native women, such as "Beaver’s Breath" and "No Bra," which were deemed demeaning and objectifying. Furthermore, one scene depicted an actress portraying an Apache woman squatting and urinating while simultaneously smoking a peace pipe, a visual that the actors found deeply offensive and a blatant distortion of Apache customs and traditions. The inappropriate placement of feathers on a teepee, a detail considered culturally insensitive, further contributed to the growing discontent.
Anthony, one of the Native actors who participated in the walkout, explained that he had initially been approached to work on the film but had reservations. He stated that he was assured the film would be a comedy but would avoid racist portrayals. However, upon arriving on set, he witnessed a gradual decline in the level of cultural sensitivity. Anthony recounted that the costumes, intended to represent Apache attire, were inaccurate and stereotypical, resembling Comanche clothing more closely. This initial misstep was compounded by the increasingly offensive nature of the jokes and scenarios presented in the script.
The character name "Beaver’s Breath" proved to be a particularly sore point. Anthony described a scene where a character calls out the name, and the Native woman responds with, "How did you know my name?" This exchange, intended as humorous, was perceived by the Native actors as a denigrating and insensitive portrayal of Native identity.
The actors also expressed frustration with their perceived lack of input and respect from the director and producers. According to Anthony, when concerns were raised about the disrespectful content, the director attempted to downplay the issue, arguing that it was unintentional and that the film was intended as a comedy.
Alison Young, a Navajo woman and former film student from Dartmouth, echoed Anthony’s sentiments. She described feeling uneasy from the beginning of her involvement in the project and struggling with the conflicting emotions it evoked. She consulted with a former instructor at Dartmouth, who advised her to view the experience as a firsthand encounter with stereotyping.
Young and other actors brought their concerns to the producers, hoping for a constructive dialogue and potential changes to the script. However, their pleas were met with resistance and, ultimately, dismissal. According to Young, the producers responded to their concerns by telling them, "If you guys are so sensitive, you should leave." This dismissive response left Young feeling emotional and disillusioned. She lamented that a comedy film should not evoke feelings of hurt and disrespect. Young further stated that "Nothing has changed. We are still just Hollywood Indians."
Goldie Tom, another Native actress involved in the production, also shared her frustrations. She emphasized that the costumes did not accurately represent Apache people. She stated that the cultural consultant, Bruce, expressed his disappointment with the inaccurate attire, particularly the presence of braids and chokers, which were not traditionally associated with Apache culture. Tom added that the consultant requested a meeting with Adam Sandler to address these concerns. The actors also raised other issues with the script, but the producers reportedly refused to make any changes, stating, "It’s in the script and we are not going to change it." Tom concluded that the Native actors were treated disrespectfully, spoken down to, and subjected to condescending tones.
David Hill, a 74-year-old Choctaw man and member of the American Indian Movement, also joined the walkout. Hill stated that the producers were being disrespectful and resorting to outdated arguments similar to those used to defend the Washington Redskins name. He emphasized that Native dignity is not for sale and expressed his regret that some individuals might remain on the project due to financial necessity. Hill also mentioned that the producers contacted the consultant and other Native actors after their departure, suggesting an attempt to mitigate the damage caused by the walkout.
Hill conveyed his hope that the production team would listen to the concerns raised by the Native actors. He acknowledged that the film was intended as a comedy and that humor was acceptable, but he insisted that disrespect would not be tolerated. Hill stated that he told the director that if he had spoken to a Native woman in the way that the script portrayed, he would have physically confronted him. Hill emphasized the importance of speaking out against injustice and stated that, "This isn’t my first rodeo, if someone doesn’t speak up, no one will."
The incident surrounding The Ridiculous Six highlights a long-standing issue in Hollywood: the misrepresentation and stereotyping of Native Americans in film and television. For decades, Native characters have often been portrayed as one-dimensional figures, relegated to supporting roles and often depicted in ways that perpetuate harmful stereotypes. This can have a detrimental impact on Native communities, reinforcing negative perceptions and contributing to cultural erasure.
The decision by the Native actors to walk off the set of The Ridiculous Six represents a powerful act of resistance against these harmful portrayals. It demonstrates a growing awareness within the Native community of the importance of accurate and respectful representation in media. By standing up against what they perceived as cultural insensitivity and disrespect, these actors have sent a clear message to Hollywood: that Native voices must be heard and that their cultures must be treated with dignity and respect. This is a key element related to Native Actors Walk off Set of Adam Sandler Movie.
The controversy surrounding The Ridiculous Six also raises questions about the role of comedy in addressing sensitive cultural issues. While comedy can be a powerful tool for social commentary, it must be approached with caution and sensitivity, particularly when dealing with marginalized communities. Jokes that rely on stereotypes or perpetuate harmful narratives can have a damaging impact, reinforcing negative perceptions and contributing to discrimination.
The incident serves as a reminder that filmmakers have a responsibility to ensure that their work is culturally sensitive and respectful. This requires engaging with Native communities, consulting with cultural experts, and being willing to listen to and address concerns raised by Native actors and advisors. It also requires a willingness to challenge existing stereotypes and to create more nuanced and authentic portrayals of Native characters.
The Native Actors Walk off Set of Adam Sandler Movie event serves as a significant turning point in the ongoing conversation about Native representation in Hollywood. It is a call for greater cultural sensitivity, respect, and accuracy in the portrayal of Native Americans in film and television. This is a great loss for the Native Actors Walk off Set of Adam Sandler Movie movie.
The outcome of this situation remains to be seen. Whether the producers of The Ridiculous Six will address the concerns raised by the Native actors and make changes to the film remains uncertain. However, the incident has undoubtedly sparked a broader discussion about the need for greater diversity, inclusion, and cultural sensitivity in Hollywood. Hopefully the Native Actors Walk off Set of Adam Sandler Movie will push for cultural change.