Lin-Manuel Miranda responds to criticism of In The Heights film
Lin-Manuel Miranda has responded to criticism of In The Heights’ film adaptation.
The big movie version of the Broadway and West End hit show opened in cinemas in America last week ahead of its UK premiere this Friday.
While the show received plenty of acclaim and rave reviews, it’s also faced criticism for a lack of dark-skinned Afro-Latinx actors in the cast.
In a statement on Twitter on Monday, Miranda wrote: “I started writing In The Heights because I didn’t feel seen. And over the past 20 years all I wanted was for us-ALL of us-to feel seen
“I’m seeing the discussion around Afro-Latino representation in our film this weekend and it is clear that many in our dark-skinned Afro-Latino community don’t feel sufficiently represented within it, particularly among the leading roles.
“I can hear the hurt and frustration over colorism, of feeling still unseen in the feedback. I hear that without sufficient dark-skinned Afro-Latino representation, the work feels extractive of the community we wanted so much to represent with pride and joy.”
Miranda went on to apologise: “In trying to paint a mosaic of this community, we fell short. I’m truly sorry. I’m learning from the feedback, I thank you for raising it, and I’m listening. I’m trying to hold space for both the incredible pride in the movie we made and be accountable for our shortcomings.”
He added: “Thanks for your honest feedback. I promise to do better in my future projects, and I’m dedicated to the learning and evolving we all have to do to make sure we are honoring our diverse and vibrant community. Siempre, LMM”
With a score by Miranda and book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, In The Heights debuted on Broadway in 2008 where it picked up four Tony Awards including Best New Musical.
Set in New York’s largely Hispanic-American neighbourhood of Washington Heights, the musical follows a number of residents over the course of three days as they discover what it means to be home.
The movie will be released in the UK on 18 June.
