Meryl Streep responds to diversity issue at Berlin Film Festival

During a press conference before the opening of the Berlin International Film Festival, Meryl Streep was asked to comment on the diversity issue in Hollywood.

The jury, which is made up of all white artists, was asked three times about the growing issue, which has taken center stage after the Oscars failed to nominate a minority actor for the second consecutive year. While the jury did not have any minorities, Streep said Berlinale organizers were taking a step forward by picking four women for the panel.

“This jury is evidence that at least women are included and in fact dominate this jury, and that's an unusual situation in bodies of people who make decisions,” Streep said, reports The Associated Press. “So I think the Berlinale is ahead of the game.”

The other members of the jury are actors Clive Owen and Lars Eidinger, film critic Nick James, photographer Brigitte Lacombe, actress Alba Rohrwacher and director Malgorzata Szumowska.

One reporter from Egypt asked her if she understood films made in the Arab world and North Africa. She admitted to not knowing much about the area, but noted that she has played characters from a wide variety of cultures.

“There is a core of humanity that travels right through every culture, and after all, we're all from Africa originally,” the three-time Oscar winner said. “You know, we're all...Berliners. We're all Africans, really.”

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences rushed to respond to the diversity issue by instituting new rules about voting privileges and vowing to double the number of minority members by 2020. The Oscars are on Sunday, Feb. 28.

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