The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Hollywood faced backlash over its new exhibition highlighting the Jewish founders of the film industry. The exhibit, which aimed to shed light on the contributions of Jewish immigrants like Samuel Goldwyn and Louis B. Mayer, was criticized for its negative portrayal of Hollywood’s pioneers.
The controversy erupted when a group called United Jewish Writers sent an open letter to the museum, objecting to the use of words like “tyrant,” “oppressive,” “womanizer,” and “predator” in the exhibit’s wall text. The group described the exhibit as “antisemitic” and called for a complete overhaul to celebrate the Jewish founders with respect and enthusiasm.
The museum quickly responded to the growing outcry, stating that they had heard the concerns from the Jewish community and were committed to making changes to address them. The museum announced that they would be implementing immediate changes to tell the important stories without reinforcing stereotypes unintentionally.
Despite some positive reviews, negative responses emerged, with critics highlighting the exhibit’s implication that Hollywood’s Jewish pioneers discriminated against other marginalized groups. Some critics pointed out the exhibit’s discussion of blackface in “The Jazz Singer” and accused the Jewish founders of oppressive control and racism.
The controversy came to a head as the museum’s director and president, Jacqueline Stewart, announced her departure. Stewart, a film historian and recipient of a MacArthur Foundation “genius” award, will be succeeded by Amy Homma, the museum’s chief audience officer.
The museum stated that they would convene an advisory group of experts to address the concerns raised by critics and meet with some of the individuals who expressed disappointment with the exhibit. Overall, the museum acknowledged the need to rectify the situation and ensure that the exhibit celebrates the Jewish founders of Hollywood in a respectful and accurate manner.
