Wuthering Heights in Turmoil Ahead of Race Controversy
By: ?
Courtesy: The Hollywood Reporter
“Wuthering Heights” film controversy heightens as the director is accused of whitewashing the male protagonist ahead of release.
Next Friday, the book-to-film adaptation of the classic novel Wuthering Heights will premiere in theaters, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. The film faces controversy because Jacob Elordi, a white Australian man, is cast as Heathcliff, who in the book is implied to be a minority.
“Regardless of whether it’s a direct adaptation or interpretation, they are disrespecting the source material, and they are perpetuating racism within the film [industry],” said Richard Johnson, a third-year Political Science major on the Pre-Law track from The Bronx, New York. The novel, written by Emily Brontë in 1847, describes the character of Heathcliff as “a darkskinned gipsy” and “as dark as if it came from the devil.”
Emerald Fennell, who wrote and directed the adaptation, has claimed that the movie is essentially her own unique take on the source material throughout the press for the film. Which is why the title has quotations around it. “A core theme of Wuthering Heights is the fact that Heathcliff is a part of this high society, that is historically white, and others him on the basis of his race and characteristics,” said Johnson.
Fennell has a history of creating controversy-provoking projects. In 2020, she released a film called A Promising Young Woman that addressed the topic of sexual assault. In 2023, she released Saltburn, which sparked a lot of discussion about its homoeroticism and sexual scenes. Fennell won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for A Promising Young Woman.
“I think Emerald Fennell across her last three films…has been incredibly irresponsible,” said Johnson. “At this point, is it controversy for controversy’s sake, or are you trying to make
art that causes a conversation that’s productive?” “Wuthering Heights” releases next Friday, February 13th, worldwide.
