Side discussion on The Da Vinci Code - Albinos

Does Hollywood have it in for albinos? Nick De Semlyen investigates. A bit.

Albinism is a rare genetic condition that deprives you of pigmentation in the eyes, skin and hair. According to Hollywoord, it also makes you evil.

"Since 1960, there have been 67 films with the evil albino stereotype," says Mike McGowan, president of the National Organisation for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH). "And not one sympathetic character to balance it out. NOAH is upset with the trend to always depict albinos as evil, weird, supernatural and altogether unreal."

McGowan cites Lethal Weapon, Foul Play and The Matrix Reloaded as three examples, before denouncing The Da Vinci Code's continuation of the cliche. (2004 was the first year in four decades without an evil albino on the screen.) After discussing the issue with novelist Dan Brown, NOAH wrote to Ron Howard, requesting that psychopathic monk Silas not be depicted with pale skin and red eyes. The result was not quite satisfactory. "The casting director phoned me and asked if NOAH could recommend an actor with albinism to play that part. I declined - it would be hypocritical to facilitate continuing the trend."

The Da Vinci Code
"Silas shoots with accuracy and drives around Paris. Most albinos could do neither because they have uncorrectable low vision."

The Matrix Reloaded
"Warner Bros. denied that these characters were albinos; they claimed they were vampires. Yet the studio licensed Matrix Reloaded 'Albino Twin' action figures."