10 Best Things About the 2016 Oscars
How exactly would host Chris Rock handle #OscarsSoWhite, after staying mostly silent on the issues in recent weeks? What if Leo didn’t win? Would this be a “political Oscars” and who else is Hollywood excluding? We still do not have all the answers, and there is a lot of work to do. This was the year of the #agendaoscars, a year where effort itself was the show’s hope and spotlight. It was not a happy-punchy show in an Ellen DeGeneres way, nor an activist awards to recognize the serious issues concerning diversity in one of America’s most closely watched industries. Yet, this year’s more hesitant tone allowed its significant moments to break in with full impact. Here then are the ten best things about the 2016 Oscars.
1. Lady Gaga’s Performance of “Til It Happens To You.”
No other Best Song performer rivaled Gaga’s intensity and ability to connect with the audience, despite Sam Smith taking home the award for Best Song. Survivors came forward in incredible bravery, joining Ms. Gaga onstage and holding hands in the air with writing on their arms, such as “Survivor” and “Not Your Fault.” Also: Vice President Biden introducing Ms. Gaga and ItsOnUs.org, asking everyone for a commitment to help keep men and women safe from sexual assault.
2. Host Chris Rock Interviews Black Filmgoers
All the interviewees knew about Straight Outta Compton, but none recognized titles of the predominantly white cast Best Picture nominees. While Mr. Rock’s routine sometimes fell flat (the Girl Scout cookies) this one was a sly reveal. The interviewees seemed incredulous about the existence of these films. If asked, is it impossible to imagine how many white filmgoers would know about current films with predominantly black casts or black protagonists?
3. Brie Larson Reaching To Squeeze the Hand of Room co-star Nine-Year-Old Jacob Tremblay Throughout the Awards
Also, Mr. Tremblay’s grin when Ms. Larson was announced as the recipient of the Best Actress award (Room).
4. Leonardo DiCaprio’s “Thank you” in
His Best Actor Speech for The Revenant
He asked us not to forget about the planet (Mr. DiCaprio is a major donor and advocate for environmental causes) and said he would not forget tonight. Then, he delivered his definitive thank you. With an assertive uplift at “you,” Mr. DiCaprio knew it was possible to be simultaneously grateful and proud and I felt it by listening to him.
5. Spotlight Winning Best Picture
Spotlight was the most important political film of 2015. A political film – one relating to “the public affairs of a country.” Spotlight’s win emphasized filmmaking as a powerful voice to expose crime, and equally as vital the need for democracy and the work of investigative journalism.
6. The First Oscar for Chile
Bear Story, directed by Gabriel Osorio and produced by Pato Escala, was honored with Best Animated Short. The film focuses on a family of bears and symbolizes living under the Chilean military dictatorship.
7. Ennio Morricone’s Elegance and Humble Acceptance Speech
Rome’s Signore Morricone won Best Score for Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight and was accompanied by a translator as he accepted the honor in Italian. With seventy-three wins and sixty-eight nominations, this is Mr. Morricone’s first Oscar. His homage to music’s partnership with film showed a heartfelt acceptance of the award and love of his work. Eighty-seven year-old Mr. Morricone’s achievement also marks him the oldest person to win an Academy Award.
8. Kate’s Reaction to Leo’s Win
Kate Winslet has been waiting on “Leo’s moment” for some time now. ABC showed Ms. Winslet briefly, enough to see her tearful and full of emotion. The soul connection between the two is well known and this was a moment where one friend was simply filled with joy for another.
9. Olivia Munn and Jason Segel Acknowledge the Sci-Tech Awards
Ms. Munn and Mr. Segel summarized highlights of the 88th Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Awards Presentation, which they co-hosted in early February. Advances in robotics and sound technology were particularly impressive and it was great to see these professionals recognized during the main awards show for their significant contributions to filmmaking.
10. Winner for Documentary (Short Subject)
Gets Attention of Pakistan’s Government
At the conclusion of her acceptance speech for A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness, director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy said that after seeing her film the Pakistani government plans to change their laws on honor killing. If we needed another reason why cinema is so important for our world, Ms. Obaid-Chinoy brought it home.
Dina Paulson-McEwen
Latest posts by Dina Paulson-McEwen (see all)
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- 10 Best Things About the 2016 Oscars - March 1, 2016
