Guest column by Sanjeev Bijli: Diversity and representation in cinema

The recently released Marvel film, Eternals grossed more than $400 million worldwide and gave much-needed respite to cinemas around the world. What this film may also have achieved is a highly diverse cast and crew for a quintessentially White American fable. Helmed by Chinese director Chloe Zhao, fresh from her Oscar-winning film Nomadland last year, the film had Gemma Chan, Salma Hayek, Kunal Nanjiani and Brian Tyree Henry, all actors of colour, in pivotal roles. Brian is also shown as happily married to a man and raising a daughter. Gender diversity, race diversity, LGBTQ representation in cinema—it all seems to be heading in the right direction.