Stars advocate for progress at honorary Oscars event
Associated PressLOS ANGELES — Inequality in the film industry got a high-profile spotlight at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 11th annual Governors Awards, where Cherokee actor Wes Studi, Italian director Lina Wertmüller and filmmaker David Lynch all received honorary Oscars on Sunday. While toasting Studi, his “The New World” and “Hostiles” co-star, Christian Bale noted native and indigenous people have been underrepresented on both sides of the camera but “we’re in a room full of people who can change that.” Indeed, the Governors Awards crowd is a powerful one, featuring A-list stars, directors, producers and executives populating nearly every table: Leonardo DiCaprio, Quentin Tarantino, Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos, Sony Pictures Chairman Tom Rothman, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Amy Pascal were just a few of the power players in the audience. “I’m proud to be here tonight as the first native, indigenous American to receive an Academy Award.” DiCaprio stood twice to applaud Studi, taking out his phone to film the actor proudly holding his Oscar. In 1982, Cree musician Buffy Sainte-Marie, who was born in Canada, won an Oscar for co-writing the music to best song winner “Up Where We Belong.” Q’orianka Kilcher, who acted with Studi in “The New World,” said he “revolutionized how indigenous peoples are portrayed in cinema, showing us all what is possible.” Wertmüller, another trailblazer in film for being the first woman to ever be nominated for best director for “Seven Beauties” in 1977, was praised by the likes of Tarantino and Scorsese, as well as three of her fellow female directing nominees including Campion, Gerwig and Sofia Coppola. “Her films turned me into an addict.” Jodie Foster, in a video tribute, said she didn’t even realize women could be directors before she learned about Wertmüller.
History of this topic
Oscars 2023: The key moments from the Academy Awards ceremony
Al Jazeera
Oscars 2022: Rachel Zegler cracks joke about lack of invite while presenting award
The Independent
Oscars invite Steven Yeun, Issa Rae, others to join Academy
The Independent
Riz Ahmed, Leslie Odom Jr, others react to Oscar nominations
The Independent
Oscar moments: Record night for women; Wakanda makes history
Associated Press
Oscars 2019: The aftermath of Time’s Up and #MeToo at the 91st Academy Awards
Hindustan TimesDiscover Related
)
)
