Change Quote by Rick Famuyiwa
“I wanted to try and change the idea of what we call mainstream. So many times what we call mainstream is upper middle class white suburbia. And anything outside of that is considered niche.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Sundance Film Festival Q&A, “Redefining Mainstream Cinema”, 2020
He critiques how “mainstream” is narrowly defined by affluent white suburbia, urging broader inclusion of diverse voices.
In simple terms: Mainstream is too narrow, needs diversity.
Key Takeaway
Challenge and expand cultural definitions.
Themes
inclusion
culture
media
social critique
diversity
Mood
critical
hopeful
Type
social
cultural
When to use this quote
- film festivals
- media curricula
- community outreach
Key Concepts
Cultural hegemony
representation
identity politics
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines “mainstream” in your community?
- How can you support under‑represented creators?
A Different Perspective
Changing entrenched perceptions is slow; resistance may arise.
![“I love the idea of longevity in this career. But [producing] is not about, "Let me do this because this might happen 20 years down the line." Sleepwalking wasn't a vehicle for me, it was a film that pushed the envelope. I want to produce good stories, versus creating a niche where I can look…” quote by Charlize Theron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a61/charlize-theron-1430_actors_i-love-the-idea-of-longevity-in-this-car_35587.jpg)
