Abstract This paper discusses the film "Multi-facial", written, directed by and starring Vin Diesel. The paper discusses the way in which the film makes use of its pseudo-documentary style of filming to highlight the difficulties of an actor whose multi-racial appearance causes casting directors and filmmaking insiders to view him with suspicion. The paper describes the way in which the film suggests to the viewer that this is a reality that is encountered by actors behind studio walls.
From the Paper "This rough texture of filming places the viewer, constantly in the position of the auditioning casting director of the actor played by Diesel. It forces the viewer to ask, how do I read this actor, racially? It is thus just not a point of plot to ask how will Mike's face be 'read' by the individuals who may or may not give him a job. The viewer is asked to reconsider his or her assumptions. Time and time again, Mike's auditioning directors reject the actor because they feel that the audience's eyes will not read Mike's facial characteristics correctly as a member of a particular racial group."
