Viggo Mortensen on 'Green Book' and the fight against racism 

He was superb!

Seems like Rome will win it. GB is second.

Yes. But it is generally accepted that white people should not be using that word, whatever the context. He slipped up and I don't judge him on it but you have to understand why it wasn't considered to be an acceptable thing to say!

He's just telling it like it is. Sure he could have said "the N word" instead, but he seemingly chose to be direct instead, probably to better make his point. And *context* people *context,* he wasn't calling anyone the N word and clearly he didn't agree with the word. People need to stop constantly looking for their next outrage fix.

@@itsjustbree9267 there is no "context" in which it's ok for a white person to use that horrible word. People do not find it offensive because they want an "outrage fix", it's offensive because it's... offensive. There was no reason for him to use that word, end of. He is more than intelligent enough to find a different way to express what he meant.

@@joosiej85 Or maybe he used it for its shock value because he wanted to get people's attention and make them see the ugliness of it. He wasn't directing the word at anyone and he's obviously not racist.

@@itsjustbree9267 no, I don't think he is the sort of person who says ANYTHING for "shock value". He's not an attention seeker, and he's too smart for that. He wasn't even using it in a "public" interview. And afterwards he apologised to the people who were there, so he clearly knew he'd slipped up. I think he is very passionate about stuff, and it came out by accident. But I don't think that means we can say it was "ok" to say it.

Wonderfully put. All racists are ignorant...you must be ignorant to be a racist. Period. No matter what race as all races have racists among them and they are all totally ignorant. Peace people. Treat others the way you want to be treated and you will be surprised at what happens. My best friend is an African American and though I have never, ever been racist, I was still shocked at all the things he opened my eyes to see...the little racist acts that maybe even those people didn;'t realize they were doing. One time we were in a mall and there was a group of elderly white ladies and he was standing closest to them as we were walking side by side, he said watch and amazingly they clutched their purses and changed them to the other arm away from him. So, I said "man they are old bro, we are young men(at the time lol) and that is natural" and he said lets switch sides and make a circle and see what happens when you are closest to them...amazingly enough they absolutely paid no attention and did not move their purse or clutch it any tighter. We did this several times and every time played out perfect. They were playing in to the old stereotype of their generation...truly an eye-opening experience and he showed me so many instances of this. Sadly, with the idiot we have as President today, things are going in reverse and if we don't stop that man we are heading for another civil war of types.

exactly...hoolywood is full of NWO and ""purify the race" ideas, very old and racism ideas in many many ways---beyong even their cover.

Oversimplified nonsense. Many Black people simply don't want to hear a white person say that word, ever, because it's too painful a reminder of a not too distant past that still affects Black life in America today. The intent of the white person saying it is utterly irrelevant. Using that word to tell a story on screen or on the written page or in music is one thing, but to use it casually in an interview is unnecessary and arrogantly gratuitous. I say this as a huge fan of Viggo's and that hasn't changed. In any case, your insensitivity to the very real and very deep pain associated with hearing a white person use that word is ignorant.

Me too!

They did win

Mahershala won but Viggo lost to fake teeth and fear of mass backlash.

that's a step, but it needs some more action, too.

Sadly that doesn't happen, especially in Italy where the Fascist ruled for many years......

I feel this movie showed what it's like when you get to know the individual.

Once man gets away from umbrella of collectivity which pushes him towards evil, he can be truly noble. And that goes both ways.

Yes I agree, I saw the trailer and thought I'd give this a go. It was much much better than the trailer suggested it would be. A great road story with the developing relationship both a joy and a challenge. Well acted and well conceived is my take. Seems the critics agree..

In italy and everywhere.

Sadly, the stereotypes are disheartening. Italian people are often portrayed negatively. Sad. Because it is such a rich culture with lots of love within families and friends

"Love within family and friends" can also mean parochialism, suspicion of outsiders.

Mai Le Ngoc Hoa Dutch? No he is Danish but grew up in the US and Argentina

It's just because the studio doesn't want its 2 actors up against each other..

@@JohnSmith47534 That's probably wise - why risk the chance of a double win!

James Smith the name of a legend

It's Danish. His father was Danish and it was a common family name.

yes, it is danish... its origin lays with the vikings... he explained it in an interview with letterman i believe...

Scandinavian, specifically, Danish.. he is " Danish-American"

His family moved to Venezuela and then Argentina where he learned to speak fluent Spanish. He speaks several languages and currently lives in Spain with his Spanish actress girlfriend. I also like the fact that she is 50 years old. It's rare for male celebrities to date older women, no matter how old they are themselves. Viggo is a rare breed. I adore him.

The cop who helped them change the tire at the end?

Since it was snowing, I felt that was illustrating the differences between northern (helpful/protective) and southern (racist/biased) police.

How many southern white people boycotted, protested against, lost their lives against explicitly racist white people? Even if not all simply hated PoC, the simple fact that they just accepted it makes them complicit

I'm sorry you feel that way. I guess I did miss the point if it was to stereotype a whole region. Not only did they stereotype Southern whites, but they also stereotyped Southern blacks. The whites either had power and/or social status, the blacks were subservient, unrefined, or open to committing a crime. Yes, Viggo's character was changed from his own racist views and saw Dr. Shirley as an individual. I get they wanted you to feel how much Dr. Shirley felt isolated as a talented and educated black man in the early 60s, especially in the South. But gee whiz!! Congratulations to Green Book for winning the Academy Award for Best Picture!