Many broadcasters and streaming services are currently reviewing their content following the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George Floyd. One of the prominent topics which the Black Lives Matter movement focuses on is blackface, where a person wears makeup to make themselves look like a black person.

Leon Schuster often used makeup and masks to disguise himself as a black person in his movies, which forms part of Showmax’s decision to remove his movies. Showmax spokesperson Richard Boorman has confirmed that several Leon Schuster movies have been removed from the platform.

Richard Boorman said it forms part of their review of all content that could possibly be racially insensitive. MultiChoice spokesperson Benedict Maaga said the company strongly condemns racism or prejudice of any kind. Schuster hit back at the decision, saying he was shocked and upset by the decision to review and remove his movies from ShowMax.

He told Netwerk24 he has been doing this type of comedy, where he uses disguises to fool people, for decades. “I cannot believe that the content of my movies causes any harm. It is completely innocent,” Leon Schuster said.