The trailer for the highly-anticipated biopic “Maestro,” directed, produced, and co-written by Bradley Cooper, has sparked accusations of antisemitism. In the film, Cooper portrays the iconic Jewish composer Leonard Bernstein. However, many people online have criticized his use of a prosthetic nose, labeling it as “Jewface.”
One Twitter user noted that Cooper’s own natural nose is longer than the prosthetic, suggesting that there was no need for such an addition. They also expressed their preference for Jewish actors to be given an opportunity to audition for the role before automatically casting a more famous non-Jewish actor.
Notably, Jewish comedian Sarah Silverman discussed the long-standing tradition of non-Jewish actors portraying Jewish characters during a podcast episode in 2021. Despite her initial criticism, Silverman ultimately joined Cooper’s production and took on the role of Bernstein’s sister Shirley.
Various outlets have weighed in on the debate surrounding Cooper’s use of a prosthetic nose. Some reject the argument, highlighting that Cooper does not possess the same characteristics as Bernstein, such as being gay, a classical composer, or an alcoholic singer-songwriter in love with Lady Gaga.
Bernstein’s children came to Cooper’s defense in an Instagram post, expressing their gratitude for being involved in the film’s making and acknowledging Cooper’s commitment to honoring their father’s legacy. They addressed the controversy surrounding the prosthetic nose, stating that they are perfectly fine with Cooper’s decision to use makeup to enhance his resemblance.
Critics, including organizations like the Media Diversity Institute, have noted that the historical depiction of a “hooked nose” is equivalent to blackface and represents an antisemitic stereotype. They highlight that this caricature has been utilized in Nazi propaganda and by various antisemitic regimes and organizations.
British actor and activist Tracy-Ann Oberman pointed out that Cooper portrayed the Elephant Man on Broadway without the use of prosthetics. She argues that if he could accomplish that, he should be able to play a Jewish character without one.
Leonard Bernstein, who was born to Jewish-Ukrainian immigrants, is renowned for composing the music for “West Side Story” and serving as the music director of the New York Philharmonic. He passed away in 1990 at the age of 72 from mesothelioma.
“Maestro” is scheduled for a limited release in November, followed by its availability on Netflix the following month.
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