The 97th Academy Awards had one of the longest running times for an annual show in recent history, but the current political situation was least mentioned.
Few people see the awards show (at least all Oscars) due to political debate, but comments on global events have been part of the air for a long time. Trump himself was even overwhelmed by the show – at least once during the airing, posting True Society during his campaign for reelection last year, rhetorically asking if there was a “bad host” in the 2024 Oscar than Jimmy Kimmel, criticising his opening monologue.
When La La Land was mistakenly announced as the winner of the best photo in the moonlight after the 2017 Oscars, Trump later said in an interview: It was a little sad. It's gone from the charm of Oscars. ”
Shortly after the Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukrainian President Voldy Mir Zelensky appeared via Cannes and Venice film festivals and Grammy Awards satellites. The Recording Academy announced its partnership with global citizens and rose to Ukraine for the 2022 Grammy Awards televised broadcast.
At the 2023 Golden Globe, Zelensky appeared via pre-recorded video messages, thanking the “free world” for his support.
The latter feels particularly far from the events of last week when Zelensky met with Trump to discuss the ongoing ceasefire talks with Russia and was received in an offensive display of oval aggression. Hostilities have been widely criticized, with the Ukrainians themselves claiming that both the US president and Vice President JD Vance had deliberately and cynically launched a “scampaign.”
This year, host Conan O'Brien opened a show dealing with the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
“The people in Los Angeles have clearly been experiencing a devastating ordeal and we need to deal with this,” O'Brien said. “In moments like these, award shows can seem self-satisfied and extra, but what I want to do is remember why we gathered here tonight.”
He then celebrated people behind the scenes in Hollywood, like “craftsmen, technicians, costumers,” “hardworking men and women behind the camera who gave their lives to making movies.”
O'Brien continues: “Even in the face of terrible wildfires and divisive politics, the work this is working on continues. And next year and for years to come, through trauma and joy, this seemingly ridiculous ritual will come here… The magic, madness, grandeur, and the joy of cinemas around the world will be with us forever.”
But mentions other than politics and wildfires stopped there. There was little mention of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This is even fewer of the recent three-year anniversary of the incident, which prompted the biggest refugee crisis since World War II, and the Gaza crisis that saw the casualties of a Palestinian death. Over 45,000 This is the first time since October 7th, 2023.
Daryl Hanna offered to “Slava Ukraine!” While O'Brien called out about Vladimir Putin later in the show's broadcast, he said before awarding the Best Editorial Award: Two awards. I think Americans are ultimately ready to face someone strong Russians. ”
In a speech by the winning actor, Adrian Brody offered some general ideas about the state of the world, saying he prayed “for a healthier, happier, more inclusive world.”
“I think it's a reminder to avoid lifting hatred if the past can teach us something,” he said.
A handful of comments point to a tough starting point from Hollywood heavyweights' previous efforts to tackle countless crises. Perhaps most notable is that the nominated film itself did not eschew politics. Both real pain and brutality are involved in the Holocaust and the journey of immigration, and Emilia Perez is focused on the transition of trans women. And don't forget the apprentice – a film about Trump himself.
Other lands showing the destruction of the occupied West Bank Masafayatta community by Israeli soldiers have won the best documentary at Oscars, but fail to win distributors in the US. Mehdi Hasan points out “We'll tell you everything about US censorship.”
In Gaza, the only mention of the conflict at the Oscar came from acceptance speeches from the winners of the year's Best Documentary feature of the West Bank-based film “Other Lands.” Co-director Basel Adora said he recently became a father and hoped that his daughter's life would not turn out like him.
He said his films reflect the “severe reality” that his fellow Palestinians have endured over the years. Co-director Yubal Abraham said that the Palestinians and Israelis “are strong together our voices. We see each other. The vicious destruction of Gaza and its people must end.
“The Israelites have to be released, cruelly filmed in the crime on October 7th. If you look at Basel, you see the brothers, but we are unequal. We live in a free regime under civil law, but Basel must live under military law that destroys his life, and he has no control.”
Abraham continued: “There is another path. A political solution. Without ethnic superiority, the rights of the people of both our people. And I have to say, as I am here, that the foreign policy of this country is helping to block this path.
“Why? You don't know we're entangled? If the people in Basel are really free and safe, my people can be really safe. There's another way. It's never too late for life, life. There's no other way.”
Previously, the awards showed attendees support for Gaza, both verbally and accessories. Emmy, Nicola Coffran, Dallas Goldtooth, Britanni Nichols and others wore pins with red fields, orange hands and black hearts to show that they were defenders of the ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the delivery of human aid to Gaza.
Ping appeared at the 96th Academy Awards early in the same year. There were also Israeli Gaza protesters near the red carpet.
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