The Academy Awards are imminent; soon we will know which are the best pictures, performances, filmmakers… But, are the Oscars really a measurement of cinematographic quality? Personally, I don´t think so.
We all know there are several “points” a movie must approve to be on the Oscars, and sometimes the brilliance of the storytelling in every aspect is not even the important one. Films like 12 Years a Slave, A Beautiful Mind, Slumdog Millionaire or King´s Speech have won the Best Picture Oscar, and all of them have a common thing: they treat themes the academics love. There is no doubt, these are not horrible films, but did they really deserve the ultimate award? All producers know if they release a movie at the end of the year about racism, a biopic, or criticizing an actual issue, they will get a nomination for sure. And, is that even a positive thing?
For example, in 2008 two movies were released: the already named Slumdog Millionaire and The Dark Knight. One of them was a masterpiece, recognized by audiences and critics, and one of the best films of all time (via IMDB); and the other is the one which won the Oscar. Maybe it was because of its genre, for superheroes movies are not taken very seriously nowadays (thanks to Marvel), but Nolan´s work was at least worthy nominating, with an incredible story, plot and of course Heath Ledger´s apotheosis interpretation of The Joker.
And tonight, February 26, the Oscars 2017 are about to begin. This year we have a huge Hollywood propaganda (and, being honest, one of my favorite movies of all time), a film about dreams and how the industry can make them true: La La Land. We also have Manchester by the Sea, a deep drama, with no further meaning but to enjoy life until it punches you in the face, all seasoned with an incredible acting from the entire crew. Moonlight, on the other hand, represents the Oscar wet dream by antonomasia: racism, homophobia, society criticism and that´s all, folks, just enjoy the movie (fantastically well directed by Barry Jenkins, having all said). Accompanying this messiah of Hollywood´s obsession for showing how good they are, films like Hidden Figures or Fences stand out not because of their quality, but for just telling a story about tolerance and social acceptance. And, of course, Silence by Scorsese is completely banished from the Awards.
I´m not saying those messages are useless. Actually, it is necessary to show by cinema the correct ideologies to build a stable society; but here I´m talking about cinema itself, not politics, which are often confused.
I don´t want this to be a cheap critic to the industry, but we should think what really defines the Oscars, and if the academics are truly rewarding cinematographic creativeness, quality and beauty, or just doing what is “politically correct”. For cinema is something beyond politics, society or humanity: it is one of the highest ways of showing art, and we should respect that. I really hope tonight Los Angeles does so.
“I always like to leave art open to interpretation.”
- Dan Reynolds
RAGGED INSOMNIA 