The 2017 Oscar nominations
The Oscar Nominations are one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the annual awards calendar and with great power comes great responsibility. An apt statement for an event that reaches several hundred million viewers in 225 countries globally.
Over the last few years the Oscars themselves have been shrouded in controversy around its lack of diversity as well as being utilised as an empowering platform for impassioned political, social and environmental statements for change. So, with the dust now settling around the 2017 Oscar Nominations, we thought we would highlight some areas that grabbed our attention.
Last year there was huge controversy over the lack of diversity, with the #OscarSoWhite campaign itself receiving more attention than any of the actual films nominated, It predominated the entire rhetoric about film. Hollywood’s legacy is one of exceptionalism – characterised by its wealth, glamour, beautiful people and of course its winners. The #OscarSoWhite campaign led to a reassessment as Hollywood was made to look out of step with the world it so often prides itself for representing. So this year it is really positive to see six nominations for black actors, as well as nominations for diverse films in the Best Picture category for ‘Moonlight’, ‘Fences’ and ‘Hidden Figures’. Hopefully it is a sign of things to come and that Hollywood is opening its eyes to the inherent unbalance within the industry, overall we are happy to see such a multifaceted group of people recognised.
While there was a lot of talk around Pixar missing out on a nomination in the Best Animation Category for ‘Finding Dory’- which is only the third time they have not been nominated since the awards started in 2002. The focus should be on who did get nominated in this categories: general, ‘Moana’, ‘Zootopia’, ‘My life As A Courgette’, ‘The Red Turtle’ and of course ‘Kubo And The Two Strings’. While it was not surprising that Kubo was recognised in this category it was a pleasant surprise to see its nomination in the VFX category, which makes it over two decades since a stop-motion movie (1993: ‘A Nightmare before Christmas’) has been nominated, although Kubo is more of a hybrid between stop-motion and computer animation. Kubo also edged towards breaking another barrier this year when the film’s incredible costumes – designed by Deborah Cook – were nominated for a Costume Designers Guild Award, a first for an animated film.
It is worth also noting Australia’s first ever nomination in the category of Foreign Language Film with its Nauvhal- language feature ‘Tanna’. The Australian film is based on a true story that looks at the Tanna people in the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu and tells the story of two young lovers who challenge the island’s customs. The cast comprises non-actors, drawn from people living in the village of Yakel.
“One couldn’t ask for a more tender or memorable pair of star-crossed screen lovers than Wawa and Dain,” The Hollywood Reporter review
As always these films are a strong reminder and affirmation that film still has the power to erode barriers both on and off the screen, and reveal what makes us human.
Good luck to all Nominees!
