David Oyelowo believes there is a lack of opportunities for black actors in the UK.
David Oyelowo
The 40-year-old actor has called for greater diversity in the movie business, after a report by the British Film Institute revealed that 59 percent of UK films in the last ten years had no black actors in any role.
Speaking at the BFI London Film Festival's Black Star Symposium, the 'Selma' star said: "The odd token thrown, the odd bone given is not going to do it.
"Don't pat yourself on the back because you made that black drama. Bully for you. That's not diversity. It's got to be baked into the foundation of where the ideas flow from."
David has moved to Los Angeles to pursue his professional ambitions. He has warned that the UK movie industry is experiencing a "talent drain" due to the lack of opportunities for black actors.
David also revealed he has considered the issue when his British actor friends have come to visit him in the US.
He said, according to the BBC: "We have sat there together, we have prayed together, we have scratched our heads together, we have felt displaced together, we have felt abandoned together. They are still here. I felt I had to leave.
"Please stop this talent drain. You have to change the demographics of the people who are making these decisions.
"You are the curators of culture. You are those who are going to shape the minds of those coming up.
"If I'd seen a film like A United Kingdom when I was leaving drama school, I don't think I would be living in America now."
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