Matt Damon spoke out about the controversy to Us Weekly during the Sundance Film Festival, saying, "You know, it's shameful and embarrassing," adding, "There's two years in a row that there are no people of color nominated. That's insane." He also praised Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs for the Board of Governors' plan to double their minority membership: "It's a strong first step but that is all that it is, it's a first step. This is going to be a very long road . . . I was very happy that they did that."
He also gave a quote to AP, saying, "We're talking about huge systemic injustices around race and gender that are a lot bigger than the Oscars. They're massive issues in our industry and in our country."
