In between the song, dance and light moments was a big blunder at the 89th Academy Awards
The Oscars 2017 opened on a high with actors, directors, producers and technicians alike grooving to Can’t Stop The Feeling belted out by Justin Timberlake. Host Jimmy Kimmel then took over with his more serious monologue addressing his divided nation. He said, “I’ve been getting a lot of advice, people telling me, ‘You need to say something (at the Oscars) to unite us’ I can’t do that...” He went on to add, “There are millions and millions watching right now, and if every one of you took a minute to reach out to one person you disagree with... and have a positive, considerate conversation — not as liberals or conservatives, but as Americans. If we would all do that, we would make America great again. We really could. It starts with us.” The evening was not short of Donald Trump jokes with Jimmy asking Meryl Streep if her dress was by Ivanka (Trump’s daughter whose fashion line has been banned by many stores across the US). The unity theme continued even later in the evening when Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi won Best Foreign Language film for The Salesman. Though he wasn’t present, he ensured that he was heard. “I’m sorry I’m not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those from other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the US. Dividing the world into the US and our enemies categories creates fear — a deceitful justification for aggression and war,” his statement read. Other Oscar nominees like Ruth Negga, expressed their dismay at Trump’s Muslim ban by sporting a blue ribbon representing the American Civil Liberties Union. Ironically, Mahershala Ali, who took home Best Supporting Actor for his role in Moonlight, became the first Muslim to win in this category.
Aww-inducing moments
While nothing can beat the Oscars where host Ellen DeGeneres had pizza delivered, Jimmy treated the hungry audience to sweets. First there were little parachutes descending from the ceiling filled with Red Vines and Junior Mints, followed by cookies and donuts. Michelle Williams was seen digging into her goodie bag.
The night was also memorable for a bus load of tourists who thought they were coming to view Oscar gowns but instead got to shake hands with the likes of Mahershala, Emma Stone and Nicole Kidman. Denzel Washington even graciously mock married one couple who said they are soon to be hitched. But perhaps the most aww-inducing moment was when host Jimmy recreated the Lion King moment with Sunny Pawar, lifting the actor in the air similar to that of Simba.
The big mix-up
Just when the evening seemed to be over with the last award, Best Picture being announced for La La Land, it turned out to be a big mistake. Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway had done the honours and the cast and crew of the film was mid-way through their speeches when the glitch was realised. An embarrassed Warren and Jimmy had to show the correct envelope to clarify that the winner was in fact Moonlight. The moment that was reminiscent of Steve Harvey’s goof up during the Miss Universe 2015 contest.
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