Imagine rejecting a film like The Godfather because it doesn’t fit into someone’s criteria of morality.
Or
Embracing a film like White Chicks just because it fulfills someone’s idea of wokeness.
Well, that is exactly what The Academy is trying to do. The “so called” prestigious institute released new guidelines yesterday which say that at least one member of the cast of the film must be from the underrepresented community.
Also, at least 30% of the secondary cast must be from at least two underrepresented categories.
And these criteria must be fulfilled to qualify for the “Best Picture” award.
Remember the year when Marlon Brando was called on the stage to receive the Oscar for Best Actor? Since he was absent, a junior artist from the Red Community received the award. In the speech, she talked about how native Indians are badly portrayed in Hollywood films. She received “Boos” and hootings for a very genuine concern and it still remains one of the darkest and most shameful moments in the history of the Oscars.
And today, we have such guidelines from the Oscars themselves. So, morality is subject to change according to time, politics, and many more factors.
Why should art suffer from the ravages of ideological mood swings of a handful of lawmakers sitting at the Academy?
Being an Indian portal, Binged is concerned about the future of Hollywood which has been a mine for one of the greatest films of all time.
Because these new rules will anyway kill the recognition of great cinema. And yes, people are terribly pissed off due to this. They are constantly abusing the Oscars.
Also, it explains why we are seeing some Asian films getting Oscars in recent years. Is it really because they respect our filmmaking or because they want to look “inclusive”?
Well, giving Oscar for looking inclusive is the worst insult they can do to Asian films and perhaps that is what is happening.