Woody Allen was apalled by recent reports that suggested the acclaimed director refused to cast black actors.
During an interview with the New York Observer, writer Roger Friedman said Allen, 78, was “horrified” when he broached the subject.
“Not unless I write a story that requires [casting black actors]. You don’t hire people based on race. You hire people based on who is correct for the part. The implication is that I’m deliberately not hiring black actors, which is stupid,” he said.
He continued, “Race, friendship means nothing to me except who is right for the part.”
Chris Rock comes up in conversation because he appeared in a PBS documentary about Allen. “He loved my work,” he said. “When I got married to Soon-Yi he bought me a wedding present.”
“When I ran into him in Rome, we took him out for dinner,” he added. “I’m friendly with Spike Lee. We don’t socialize, but I don’t socialize with anyone.”
And finally he adds: “I don’t have white friends either.”