Damon was heavily criticised on social media, with the hashtag #Damonsplaining trending on Twitter, after an awkward exchange with African-American producer Effie Brown on Sunday?s episode of the show, which he created with long-term partner Ben Affleck. In the offending scene, Brown urges the judges on Project Greenlight to utilise caution in their selection of a directing team for the film project under review, pointing out that ?the only black person? on screen is a ?hooker who gets hit by her white pimp?. In the interests of diversity, she therefore suggests a team comprising an Asian man, Leo Angelos, and Kristen Brancaccio, a white actor who had earlier flagged the stereotypical characterisation of the black character.
But Damon immediately leaps in to point out that other, less diverse candidates had also pointed out the same issues with the script, and to apparently argue that diversity should not be an issue when considering the film-making team.
In a statement, Damon said he was sorry for any offence caused and suggested his full views had not come across in the segments of the conversation with Brown shown to Project Greenlight viewers.
17-09-2015 - Vidéo Matt Damon / Diversity/'> Diversity / Divers /
