Although the 2023 Oscars ceremony was held more than a month ago, supporters of the award-winning film “The Woman King” still criticized the Academy for undercutting the production process.
You may recall that although the film was recognized at the Golden Globe Awards, BAFTA Awards, and SAG Awards, it was left out of the Oscar nominations list, thus infuriating fans around the world. angry.
Such a supporter is viola davis‘ co-star in “The Help,” Jessica Chastainwho recently defended Davis at an event in New York while criticizing the Oscars for that humiliation.
Jessica Chastain Believes ‘The Woman King’ Has Viola Davis’ Fingerprints On It
On Monday night, April 24, Chastain honored the 57-year-old actress at the 48th Chaplin Awards Gala hosted by Film at Lincoln Center in New York City.
After hours of guest speeches praising Davis for her exemplary acting, the “Jolene” star took to the stage to praise her former co-star and accept an Oscar. She said, according to IndieWire“When I watch a movie like ‘The Woman King,’ it has Viola’s fingerprints on it.”
Chastain added that a film with a female director, Gina Prince-Bythewood, and a “powerful Black female lead cast” could be made in Hollywood thanks to Davis’ “lifetime support of women of color” color.” Then, making a sophisticated jab at the Academy, she said, “Maybe one day a movie like that might be nominated for an Oscar.”
The “Zero Dark Thirty” star then told the outlet, “Someone had to say that. I mean, come on. Not an Oscar nomination for that movie? There must be some Academy members in that room, right?
In early March, Chastain and Halle Berry Best Actress Award for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” star Duong Tu Quynh, making her the first Asian actress to win the award. Meanwhile, Berry is the first Black actress to receive such an honor.
The other four nominees in this year’s category are “Tár” star Cate Blanchett, “Blonde” star Ana de Armas, and “To Leslie” star. Andrea Riseboroughand “The Fabelmans” star Michelle Williams.
In the same month of the awards ceremony, the “Woman King” director expressed his thoughts on that disregard, saying, “I’ll never get over it because what happened is so serious. and… it speaks to a larger problem in our industry. “
Prince-Bythewood also states that even when excluded, creatives like her will always be ready to do something big and together, make sure they stay energized, no matter the situation.
Davis’ ‘Woman King’ snub prompted an Academy investigation
After announcing the Oscar nominations in February, Davis’s “The Woman King” and other prominent African-American projects such as “Till” and its main star, Danielle Deadwyler, were not nominated.
To my surprise, however, “To Leslie” star Riseborough was added to the list after being nominated only for an Independent Spirit award, with her film grossing just $27,000 at the box office ahead of time. when he won a prominent Oscar.
The nod is unpopular with many black fans when they criticize the influence of big Hollywood names like Gwyneth PaltrowEdward Norton, and Kate Winsletwho organized social media campaigns to promote Riseborough’s work to Academy Voters.
This prompted the Academy to investigate and review its rules for the online campaign and its impact on actors’ nominations. News of the Academy conducting a review of their rules for the social media campaign was announced on January 27, after which CEO Bill Kramer confirmed that Riseborough’s nomination would not withdrawn.
Kramer’s statement began with an update on the reasoning behind the investigation before claiming that the Academy found no fault in the campaign’s tactics. He say“The Academy has determined that this activity has not increased to the point where the film’s nomination should be rescinded.”
In addition, the head of the Academy commented on Riseborough’s campaign strategies that needed to be addressed before asserting that parts of the organization’s regulations needed to be clear to ensure a “better framework for the strategy.” respectful, comprehensive and unbiased translation.”
According to him, these changes are expected to be implemented after the 2023 awards cycle and will be shared with Academy members.
