thneed
Landed Gentry
Posts: 816
Jun 19, 2006 0:42:40 GMT -4
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Post by thneed on Jan 21, 2016 13:45:10 GMT -4
All true. The Oscars are circle-jerk that rewards the same kind of overly-mannered prestige movies they think are daring (play someone of the opposite gender or gay and you win a statue no matter what, dramas are good and comedies are silly, etc). We know this. Everyone knows this. But the issue is THIS WOULD BE JUST AS TRUE IF BLACK PEOPLE WERE NOMINATED. If black movies were recognized and black actors regularly got nominations, it wouldn't be for real art. It would be for the black version of "The Danish Girl". It would be for "Concussion", which is the black "Erin Brockovich". I mean, "Crash" had plenty of roles for black actors. It was still a shitty movie.
So what's the issue here? That the sort of prestige movies that win awards are only made starring white people, or that the Oscars in general are kind of stupid. Because those are two completely different things. As usual, progressives can't fight. Already we're starting to pile on every issue we have about movies and awards shows onto one campaign, and that loses focus. Do you want to ensure more quality movies are greenlit and funded that star, and are written directed and produced by black people? Great. Laudable goal. Oh, and now we also have to make sure those movies are all-time classics and not the usual middling "serious" stuff like "The King's Speech"? Well, now your job is impossible. Congratulations.
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Post by Martini Girl on Jan 21, 2016 15:08:30 GMT -4
The article brought up many interesting- and I would say valid- points, but blowing up the Oscars will never happen. The Oscars are to the multi-billion dollar movie industry, as Citizens United was to elections. Too much money, power and ego are involved. Former prestige trade editors are now full-time awards journalists (and doing very well). Publicists can now make their living strategizing award campaigns. Stylists are now a thing. The Oscars are a commodity, pure and simple.
So yes, while winners rarely win on merit, and you more often than not need to be a shameless famewhore to pick up an award, the Oscars are a big business. And just like we're seen on Wall Street, revisions to the way things are done are going to be minimal at best....
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baileydash
Lady in Waiting
Posts: 316
Dec 12, 2009 17:21:35 GMT -4
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Post by baileydash on Jan 22, 2016 11:53:08 GMT -4
Michael Caine says you shouldn't give an Oscar to person because he's black. And his attitude highlights the reason it's a no-win situation for well-meaning hacktivists to put so much emphasis on an award. Those who see no problem with lack of diversity in Hollywood will simply frame the issue as sour grapes on the part of black performers who don't get Oscar nods.
The Oscars aren't the disease, they are merely a symptom. AS Viola Davis and Spike Lee have said, the REAL problem is that there are practically no POC in positions to greenlight films that feature stories about, of interest to and starring minorities. Therefore, the pool from which to choose minority Oscar contenders, remains very, very, small.
Hollywood has turned into a very insular industry obsessed with sequels, prequels and superhero movies. Their "prestige" pictures that win Oscars, are mostly art house specialty fare that feature only those characters that would be comfortable on the set of Downton Abbey.
And as Spike Lee stated, this obsession with frou-frou movies starring English, Aussie and Irish, THESPIANS as being the only source of quality, means Hollywood is ignoring much of the movie going public.
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Post by magazinewhore on Jan 22, 2016 14:47:45 GMT -4
I think the criticisms of the Oscars being too white and valuing stories about straight, male, able-bodied people are are valid and have always been true. People in power tend to gravitate to stories of other people in power, as someone said, it's mostly a closed loop and prestige awards seem to be the last place where change comes.
That said, I hope Chris Rock hosts and uses it as his forum to make fun of the entrenched hierarchies. Also, I wish someone less annoying that Jada Pinkett Smith were the face of this complaint.
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Post by Martini Girl on Jan 22, 2016 16:20:11 GMT -4
A friend of mine (who is a producer and routinely hires POC for her projects) posted about this on facebook, and took Will and Jada to task. She said their production company rarely produces films about POC, and almost never hire POC for important behind the scenes positions. With that said, Jada should not be the face of this movement.
I'd love to hear something from Harry Belafonte. He's always so eloquent on these matters.
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baileydash
Lady in Waiting
Posts: 316
Dec 12, 2009 17:21:35 GMT -4
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Post by baileydash on Jan 22, 2016 17:52:21 GMT -4
I agree. Jada is not the best spokesman for the cause. She can sometimes come across as a pampered Hollywood wife who happens to be black. Someone like Viola Davis, Alfre Woodard or S. Epatha Merkeson would be better.
These three are all sharp and well-educated artists who have extensive experience in theater, TV and movies. And more importantly, each has been in the trenches for many years fighting the good fight as talented, hardworking, non-size two, working black actresses who managed to get recognition through force of talent and sheer will, not because some director or producer thought they were cute, non-threatening and "f---able."
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Post by magazinewhore on Jan 22, 2016 21:01:31 GMT -4
Viola Davis, Regina King (why she doesn't have an Emmy for the Leftovers is beyond me). There are plenty of cool women to carry the mantle.
And, yeah, the fact that the Smith's production company doesn't make it a priority is hypocritical of them. Any one see the movie Tangerine? That was an amazing film and it featured great performances by trans-women in leading roles. And it was shot on a phone.
And they need to make more stories in general about women's lives. Why aren't there movie made about Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth or Harriet Jacobs? How many Hugo Glass movies (someone most of us haven't heard of before the movie the Revenent)?
That's what makes me admire Brad Pitt. At least he's putting his production company money where his mouth is.
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thneed
Landed Gentry
Posts: 816
Jun 19, 2006 0:42:40 GMT -4
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Post by thneed on Jan 22, 2016 23:26:03 GMT -4
I think the criticisms of the Oscars being too white and valuing stories about straight, male, able-bodied people are are valid and have always been true. People in power tend to gravitate to stories of other people in power, as someone said, it's mostly a closed loop and prestige awards seem to be the last place where change comes. That said, I hope Chris Rock hosts and uses it as his forum to make fun of the entrenched hierarchies. Also, I wish someone less annoying that Jada Pinkett Smith were the face of this complaint. The Oscars would LOVE Chris Rock calling them out for being white. In fact, that's why they hired him. They're hoping he does some political stuff about how they're all old out of touch white people. They'll laugh. and feel like cool insiders who get the joke. They'll get it. They're down. They're hip.
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william joel
Lady in Waiting
Posts: 168
Aug 14, 2009 20:37:38 GMT -4
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Post by william joel on Jan 23, 2016 5:21:35 GMT -4
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Post by lea1977 on Jan 23, 2016 9:12:44 GMT -4
Diversifying the governing boards of these award shows is a good idea but one thing, Will Smith has to accept he made a dud of a movie that most people didn't want to see.
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