Friday, March 29, 2024

Will Black Films Finally Get the Oscar Recognition They Deserve?

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*Last year’s lack of minority representation at the Academy Awards resulted in backlash from both the African American and the arts communities, culminating in the trending hashtag #OscarsSoWhite. This year, the nominations represent considerably more diversity, with five black films — and a record-breaking six black actors — on the receiving end of nominations.

Perhaps the most popular of the films up for Best Picture is Hidden Figures, which tells the true story of three African American female mathematicians who worked at NASA in the 1960s. Octavia Spencer has been nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category for her work in the film.

Spencer’s former co-star in The Help, Viola Davis, has been nominated in the same category for her turn in Fences, another film pertaining to the African American experience. Denzel Washington received an Oscar nod for his work in Fences, as well.

Moonlight, a film about a young, gay black man living in urban Miami, received recognition in the Best Picture category, and Mahershala Ali received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Juan. Naomi Harris was also nominated for the role of Paula in the film.

While the film itself wasn’t recognized, actress Ruth Negga was received a nomination in the Best Actress category for her work in Loving.

The nominations weren’t strictly for performances, either. Moonlight received nods for Best Cinematography, and Fences, Hidden Figures, and Moonlight have all been nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay. Director of Moonlight, Barry Jenkins, has also been nominated.

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It would seem that it’s not just black performers who have finally been welcomed into the Oscar fold.

After years of being shunned from the community, Mel Gibson received recognition in the Best Direction category for his work on Hacksaw Ridge. For the last ten years, Gibson has been a virtual outcast in Hollywood due to his behavior during his DUI arrest. While non-famous citizens have to worry about a DUI affecting their criminal record, future employment prospects, ability to obtain loans, and more, Gibson probably wouldn’t have had to be concerned under normal circumstances. However, he was caught on tape spouting anti-Semitic rhetoric and other offensive language. His career has struggled ever since, but perhaps this nomination will turn things around. As far as his attitude goes, a positive turnaround is yet to be seen.

The reality of Hollywood, though, is that there are many things that still need to be changed. While black artists are finally starting to be highlighted and recognized, minorities as a whole are still wildly underrepresented.

Executive director of web-based racial injustice organization Color of Change, Rashad Robinson, summed up the situation in a statement:

“Achieving this diversity is not the responsibility of the Academy alone. That responsibility also lies with casting directors, studio executives, and financial backers who have a moral responsibility to support projects that tell authentic, compassionate stories that reflect the diversity of our country and to offer opportunities on screen and behind the scenes to Black film professionals, as well as Latino, Asian American, and Native American film professionals, who also remain severely under-recognized and underrepresented in Hollywood.”

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