The Academy Awards excluding Black female artists from the Best Actress category has been a hot topic for weeks especially in light of Andrea Riseborough’s nominations over Viola Davis and Danielle Deadwyler.
Many have voiced their opinions on the matter, including fellow Black creator Spike Lee, who recently spoke his mind, pointing to the Academy’s history and its efforts to include diversity in voting.
Spike Lee Has ‘Nothing To Say’ About Andrea Riseborough’s Nomination Against Viola Davis
Since the Academy released their list of nominations in 2023, facing black actors, especially Davis for “The Woman King” and Deadwyler for “Till” in the Best Actress category, criticism arose.
MEGA
Critics opposed Riseborough’s nom for his performance in the low-budget film “To Leslie” after a last-minute campaign from celebrities. This led to the Academy conducting an investigation and revising their guidelines. However, they ended up keeping the nomination of the British actress.
Lee, in a recent interview with The Guardian, shared that he had nothing concrete to say about the situation, but he was happy that Angela Bassett and her longtime costume designer, Ruth Carter, were nominated.
Speaking vaguely about the controversial situation, the “BlacKkKlansman” director said, “It gets complicated when you get this awards thing. And the Academy has a history with… – The Academy has a history, let’s just say it.”
While the “She’s Gotta Have It” director didn’t elaborate, he insisted that “the whole #OscarsSoWhite hashtag” had an impact, prompting the Academy to seek to make a difference by bringing diversity to the voting body.
As fans know, there has been a never-ending battle with the Oscars recognizing Black films, affecting even Lee, who has a history of being snubbed for awards. In 1990, “Driving Miss Daisy” won Best Picture for its comedy “Do the Right Thing”; the latter was not nominated in that category but in two others.
Thirty years later, in 2019, Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman” lost to “Green Book” in the same category, reportedly prompting the 65-year-old to express disgust and walk away blushing. However, “BlacKkKlansman” won the Oscar at the time for best adapted screenplay.
Still, Lee was awarded an honorary lifetime achievement Oscar, but that didn’t extinguish his fire. A few months after the award, he became the main organizer of the #OscarsSoWhite campaign. In addition, he led the 2016 Oscar boycott, following the second consecutive year in which no people of color were nominated in any acting category.
MEGA
While many spoke for Davis about being left off the 95th Academy Awards nomination list, she finally broke her silence with a defiant Instagram post. As The Blast reports, she remains hopeful and stands in solidarity with “The Woman King” director Gina Prince-Bythewood, who called out the Academy for ignoring women of color for years in the industry.
After sharing a photo excerpt from The Hollywood Reporter’s GPB opinion piece on the matter, the “Suicide Squad actor” began her caption, “Allyship = Active support for the rights of marginalized groups without being a member. THIS is what’s missing.”
He added that artists rarely sponsor campaigns, even if they are “grassroots” led by peers or supported by “millions of industry dollars.” Davis believed those concerned with his work would recognize the plight of Black people and either “contribute to it or hinder it.”
In conclusion, she stated, “I stand in solidarity with Gina Prince-Bythewood (@gpbmadeit) and all artists of color who continue to work, create, thrive even in our environment – I will hope … always.”
Andrea Riseborough’s Nomination Not Withdrawn Following Oscar Investigation
Riseborough’s Oscar nomination was upheld after the Academy announced plans to review its rules for social media campaigns. The news came on Tuesday, January 31, three days after the initial announcement, and Academy CEO Bill Kramer issued a statement at the time supporting the decision.
MEGA
He said, “Based on concerns raised last week regarding the “To Leslie” awards campaign, the Academy initiated a review of the film’s campaign tactics. The Academy has determined that the activity did not rise to the point that the film’s nomination should be revoked.”
Kramer stated that the Academy is aware of the film’s social media and outreach campaign, which raises concerns and will be addressed accordingly. And according to him, the review made it clear that part of the Oscars rules needed to be clarified to promote “a better framework for a respectful, inclusive and impartial campaign.”
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
