Oscars 2018: Fearless females

The 90th Academy Awards kicked off with Jimmy Kimmel’s opening monologue that had a more serious tone. The host touched upon the Harvey Weinstein sexual scandal, anti-gun violence protests in the US and of course the diversity and inclusion issue.

“This year we have a lot to celebrate. Ceilings have been shattered, ceilings in screenwriting, we have our first-ever female nominee for   cinematography... Greta Gerwig is the first woman to be nominated for director in eight years, and that’s important. Only 11 per cent of movies are directed by women. And that is nuts. We still have a very long way to go in that department and a very long way to go when it comes to equal pay.”

Then on a lighter note, he added about the most nominated film The Shape of Water, “You made a beautiful movie and thanks to Guillermo we will always remember this year as the year men screwed up so badly, women started dating fish.” The ceremony continued way past it’s usual three hour  duration making many tune off after a point. The Shape of Water and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri ended up grabbing the most Oscars for the night.

INDIAN CONNECT

During the In Memoriam montage, the Oscars paid  homage to two Indian actors who passed away in the last year. Sridevi who died recently was included in the list of Hollywood actors such as Roger Moore and Sam Shepard. Also, Shashi Kapoor was mentioned, who has starred in a number of international films. B-Town stars like Rishi Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and Vidya Balan took to Twitter to applaud the Academy for their move.

WOMEN SPEAK UP

From the red carpet to the speakers on stage, the #Time’sUp movement could not be ignored. While there was no black dress code, many celebrities wore special pins in support. Salma Hayek, Ashley Judd and Annabella Sciorra, were especially vocal about the  issue with Ashley adding, “The changes we are witnessing are being driven by the    powerful sound of new voices, of different voices, of our voices joining together in a mighty chorus that is finally saying Time’s Up.” This was followed by a video of celebs emphasising the importance of equality. While presenting the  nominees in the Best Director category, Emma Stone drew attention to the solo   female entry in the category. Sandra Bullock too did the same while presenting for Best Cinematography, announcing, “Here are the three men and the one trailblazing woman,” referencing Rachel Morrison who was the single female nominated.

A WAY WITH WORDS

Frances McDormand who took home the Oscar for Best Actress for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri gave the most   powerful speech of the night. After thanking everyone, she asked all the female nominees in every category to stand up. Then she added, “Look around, ladies and gentlemen, because we all have stories to tell and     projects we need financed. Don’t talk to us about it at the parties tonight. Invite us into your office in a couple days, or you can come to ours, whichever suits you best, and we’ll tell you all about them. I have two words to leave with you tonight, ladies and gentlemen: inclusion rider.” Frances made reference to contractual requirements that a   movie’s cast and crew be diverse and representative.

Guillermo del Toro who won Best Director and Best Picture for The Shape of Water also gave a good speech. He said, “I am an immigrant... And in the last 25 years, I’ve been living in a country all of our own. Part of it is here, part of it is in Europe, part of it is everywhere. Because I think the greatest thing that art does, and that our industry does, is erase the lines in the sand when the world tells us to make them deeper.”

MAKING HISTORY

Jordan Peele was awarded his first Oscar for Best  Original Screenplay for Get Out. The filmmaker made history for being the first black to win in this category. Incidentally, his film makes a commentary on race in America. Daniela Vega became the first openly transgender person to present on stage and James   Ivory the oldest Oscar winner at 89 for Call Me By Your Name.

SURPRISE ELEMENT

Host Jimmy got a number of stars to join him in surprising unsuspected moviegoers at a theatre nearby. The audience that had come to watch A Wrinkle in Time were gatecrashed by Gal Gadot, Lupita Nyong’o, Margot Robbie, Ansel Elgort and Emily Blunt, among others who helped distribute snacks. They gave the group some gummy bears and a six-foot sub.

SHORTEST SPEECH WINNER

During the ceremony, Jimmy revealed that the person to deliver the shortest acceptance speech would be awarded a $17,000 jet ski. He said, “Why waste precious time thanking your mom when you could be taking her for the ride of her life: on a brand new jet ski? This is not a joke. I will be timing you.” True to his word, he gave the prized jet ski to Phantom Thread costume designer Mark Bridges who gave a 36-second speech.

WINNERS

BEST PICTURE
The Shape of Water, Guillermo del Toro and J Miles Dale

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Coco, Darla K Anderson and Lee Unkrich

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
A Fantastic Woman (Chile)

BEST DIRECTOR
Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Allison Janney, I, Tonya

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
James Ivory, Call Me by Your Name

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Jordan Peele, Get Out

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Icarus, Dan Cogan and Bryan Fogel

BEST DOCU SHORT SUBJECT
Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405, Frank Stiefel

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Blade Runner 2049, Roger A. Deakins

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
The Shape of Water, Paul Denham Austerberry, Jeff Melvin and Shane Vieau

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
Dear Basketball, Kobe    Bryant and Glen Keane

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Phantom Thread, Mark Bridges

BEST FILM EDITING
Lee Smith, Dunkirk

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Alexandre Desplat, The Shape of Water

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
The Silent Child, Chris  Overton and Rachel Shenton

BEST SOUND EDITING
Dunkirk, Alex Gibson and Richard King