An Oscar-winning producer blasted Will Smith and Chris Rock for stealing his film, and its documentary category as a whole, their moment to shine at the Academy Awards last Sunday night.
“I think what Will did was selfish,” Summer of Soul producer Joseph Patel wrote Wednesday in a now-deleted Twitter thread, claiming that Smith, who hit Rock, “made the category their moment.” robbed”.
“It stole the moment from the other excellent and amazing films to be recognized in what was a STRONG year for documentaries,” Patel asserted. “And it stole our moment from Summer of Soul and our team. Of a loud, enthusiastic cheer for an acclaimed film.’
Patel also accused Rock of being an “absolute f*****gd**k” for allegedly making a racially insensitive remark when announcing that Summer of Soul had won the Oscar for best documentary.
When Rock announced the award, he reportedly said the winner was “Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Four Whites,” ignoring Patel’s South Asian origins.
“I’m angry,” he wrote. ‘Angry at Will Smith. Angry at Chris Rock. Mad at me. Angry at Ahmir. Mad for my fellow filmmakers.’
Summer of Soul producer Joseph Patel (left) blasted Will Smith and Chris Rock for depriving his film of a chance to shine at the Academy Awards last Sunday night. Patel is pictured with fellow Summer of Soul (LR) contributors Ahmir Thompson, David Dinerstein and Robert Fyvolent
Patel claims he didn’t initially hear Rock’s remark as he was still trying to make sense of the onstage attack, but was informed of it after receiving his Oscar.
“What I didn’t hear at that moment as I walked up to the stage, but what I was told afterwards is what Chris Rock said as he read our name off the winning card – The winner is ‘Summer of Soul…Ahmir’ Questlove ‘ Thompson and 4 whites. ‘ WHAT THE ACTUAL F**K????’ he tweeted.
“The reason that pisses me off so much is that I was so proud to be one of a handful of South Asians to ever win an Oscar in the award’s history.”
“As my family and friends watched, Chris Rock lumped me in as one of 4 white people. (Forget the disrespect towards @d2films and @fyvo for not even saying their names, and the inaccuracy that we are 3 producers, not 4),” Patel added, referring to the other two South Asian men, the last ones Won Oscars on Sunday.
In a since-deleted Twitter thread, Patel said the pair robbed Summer of Soul of its moment and also accused Rock of being an “absolute f*****gd**k” for allegedly naming the documentary category winner was ‘Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson and Four Whites’
Patel said he decided to delete his tweet thread because it had become “unproductive.”
The producer claims he recorded the ceremony on his DVR, but when he got back to New York he “didn’t have the guts to watch it.”
“I probably never will,” Patel added. ‘Thank you Chris – you absolute f*****gd**k.’
Despite his frustration, Patel Thompson applauded for overcoming the seemingly awkward encounter with “grace and a speech from the heart.”
He also explained that he made the decision to delete his tweet thread after it went viral because it had become “unproductive.”
“We got to the unproductive part of the viral Twitter thread so I deleted it,” Patel explained. “I said what I had to say and I’m comfortable with that.”
He added: “Some of you guys are crazy.”
Despite his frustration, Patel Thompson applauded for overcoming the seemingly awkward encounter with “grace and a speech from the heart.” The Summer of Soul team accepts its Oscar for Best Documentary
While neither Rock nor Smith have publicly acknowledged Patel’s tirade, the King Richard actor apologized to all winners of the 94th Academy Awards when he announced his retirement from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on Friday. Smith can be seen slapping Rock during last Sunday’s Oscars
While neither Rock nor Smith have publicly acknowledged Patel’s tirade, the King Richard actor apologized to all winners of the 94th Academy Awards when he announced his retirement from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on Friday.
Smith called his actions during the ceremony “shocking, painful and inexcusable” in a statement obtained by Variety on Friday, adding that he would accept any additional consequences enacted by the Academy’s Board of Governors.
“The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, everyone present and the global audience back home,” Smith said.
“I betrayed the academy’s trust. I deprived other nominees and winners of the opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. My heart is broken.’
Smith was awarded his first Oscar after the onstage attack
The actor also acknowledged that hitting Rock during the ceremony meant other honorees were overshadowed.
“I want to bring the focus back to those who deserve recognition for their accomplishments and allow the Academy to go back to the incredible work they do to support creativity and artistry in film,” Smith said.
He also shared that “change takes time” and that he is “committed to doing the work to ensure I never again allow violence to overtake reason”.
Smith’s resignation came two days after the academy met to begin disciplinary proceedings against him for violating the group’s standards of conduct.
The academy announced Friday that it has accepted Smith’s “immediate resignation” and will “continue to move forward” with her disciplinary procedures.