Oscar voters are talking about the female king and Snubsig
He was interviewed by an anonymous voter for the 2023 Oscars Entertainment Weeklyand it’s a depressing insight into who gets to pick these awards.
For context, the Oscars are voted for members of the Academy of Film Arts and Film Studies. People are nominated by members working in the same job as them (ie actors nominate other characters) and then any member can vote on who wins. It’s over now 10,000 members make up MPAS—and if someone’s already been nominated for an Oscar, they’re probably a member.
MPAS and the awards themselves (remember the 2015 #OscarsSoWhite campaign) have faced criticism for their lack of diversity. Although the Academy previously set diversity goals, a Hollywood Reporter In 2022, he wrote that the Academy is 81% white and 67% male.
This year, the Oscars made headlines for cheerleading The king of women and Until – two films starring and directed by black women – despite widespread critical success (the films stand 94% and 96% on Rotten Tomatoes), or in that case The king of women, powerful checkout numbers. No black actors were nominated in the lead actor categories, and no black or female directors were nominated.
According to the actor who Entertainment Weekly spoke, systemic discrimination is not a problem at the Oscars. “I think the Academy is trying to please everyone, and that reflects the state of the world, but I feel like they’re being held hostage — somewhat unfairly — by the revival,” he began.
The actor then tackled the role of Viola Davis Woman Kingcontinuing, “When they get in trouble for not giving Viola Davis an award, it’s like, no, honey, you didn’t deserve it. We took a vote, and we voted for the five we thought were the best.”
He then called the ‘lady director’ – believed to be Gina Prince-Bythewood – and said: ‘It’s not fair when you suddenly start banging a pan and say [they’re] ignoring blacks. They really don’t, they try. It was maybe 10 years ago when they were, but of all the high-profile things, they were at the forefront of being inclusive. Viola Davis and the lady director need to sit down, shut up, and relax. You didn’t get a nomination – a lot of movies don’t get nominated. Viola, you’ve got an Oscar or two, you’re doing well.”
The actor later called Viola again, despite admitting he hadn’t seen her Woman King: “It’s ridiculous, sour grapes. The Academy bent over backwards to be inclusive. Last year, more black people showed up. It’s like, come on. I think Viola Davis is talented, I didn’t see Woman King, but I’m a little tired of Viola Davis and her snotty crying. I’m over it.”
Elsewhere in the play, the same actor referred to Ke Huy Quan as “the guy”. Everything Everywhere At Once“, and said he was appointed because “we were more sentimental about him because he was the kid who disappeared for 100 years and then came back.”
The anonymous actor was also embarrassed with Ke Huy EEOAO Actor Jamie Lee Curtis said: “Jamie Lee Curtis just looked like a stunt. Like here, I’m not going to wear a belt, you’re going to see how fat I am, I’m Hollywood royalty, and I’m going to put on glasses and a funny wig and we’re all going to have a good laugh on it. It looked ordinary.”
And who is this actor? EW said of them: “For his performances in critically acclaimed prestige dramas, biting mainstream thrillers, and Emmy-winning TV shows, this actor has earned consistent acclaim throughout his career.”
You can read the full interview at Entertainment Weekly here.
Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/natashajokic1/oscars-2023-voter-woman-king-till-snubs
