Sinners' designer Hannah Beachler criticises BAFTA's weak apology for N-word incident

Sinners production designer Hannah Beachler has spoken out against Alan Cumming’s on-stage apology after a Tourette’s campaigner shouted the N-word during the BAFTA Film Awards.

Cumming briefly halted the event twice to acknowledge the involuntary outburst from John Davidson, a campaigner for Tourette syndrome who was featured in the biopic I Swear.

Davidson, who was seated in the audience, shouted the N-word while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the Best Visual Effects award to Avatar: Fire and Ash. Although the statement wasn't clearly heard, it was part of the BBC’s broadcast.

After Davidson’s outburst, Cumming noted to the BAFTA attendees that they “might have observed” the “strong language,” and expressed his apologies if “anyone was offended.”

Beachler, who also encountered Davidson’s involuntary racial outbursts, was dissatisfied with Cumming’s on-stage remarks. 

She felt that an already “impossible situation” was worsened by a “perfunctory apology.”

On X, Beachler expressed: “I keep trying to write about the incident at the BAFTAs, and I find myself at a loss for words. The scenario is nearly indescribable, but it happened three times that night, and one of those times was directed at me as I was heading to dinner after the show.

“And a third time at a Black woman. I understand the intricacies and deep-rooted nature of why this is such an impossible situation. It’s essential we approach this with dignity and perseveringly. However, what exacerbated the situation was the insincere apology ‘if you were offended’ at the show’s end.

“Certainly, we were offended… but our essence, our spiritual alignment is on a level beyond these occurrences. Although it doesn’t slide off me, I remain above it. It cannot diminish my identity as an artist.”

I keep trying to write about what happened at the BAFTAs, and I can't find the words. The situation is almost impossible, but it happened 3 times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show.

The occurrences have ignited widespread discussions online regarding contingency measures during such events and why they were seemingly broadcasted without edits. 

Actors and commentators from both sides of the Atlantic have chimed in, with many expressing frustration and disappointment.