A montage that opened the Oscar telecast on Sunday featured a line uttered by Jerrod Carmichael in the movie “Poor Things”: “Do you want to see what the world is really like?”
However, on the ceremony stage, few winners' speeches during the early hours of the 96th Academy Awards made reference to world events, even at a time when Russia's war with Ukraine and the attacks from Israel to Gaza continue to grab the headlines.
But some did, giving the evening some of its most dramatic and emotional moments. The winner of the international feature film award was “The Hot Spot,” written and directed by Jonathan Glazer, adapted from the novel by Martin Amis. The film focuses on the family life of Rudolf Höss, commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp in Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II.
Glazer took the stage with producers James Wilson and Len Blavatnik to a standing ovation, bowed her head to read her speech with anxious determination, and said, “All of our decisions were made to reflect and confront ourselves in the present, not to say 'Look what what they did then', rather, 'Look what we do now.'
“Our film shows where dehumanization leads at its worst. It has shaped our entire past and present. Right now, we stand here as men refuting their Judaism and the Holocaust hijacked by an occupation that has brought so many innocent people into conflict, whether it be the victims of October 7 in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza. All the victims of this dehumanization: how do we resist?”
Glazer's comments were met with applause in the room. He dedicated the award to the memory of the real-life woman depicted in the film sneaking into the countryside at night to leave food for prisoners.
Hollywood, CA – March 10: (L-R) Raney Aronson-Rath, Mstyslav Chernov and Michelle Mizner, winners of the Best Documentary Feature award for “20 Days in Mariupol” at the 96th Annual Academy Awards
(Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times)
The winner of the documentary feature award was “20 Days in Mariupol,” which follows a group of journalists trapped in Mariupol during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. To a standing ovation, director Mstyslav Chernov began his speech by saying: “This is the first Oscar in the history of Ukraine.”
“And I'm honored,” Chernov said. “But I'll probably be the first director on this stage to say I wish I'd never made this movie. I wish I could trade this for Russia never attacking Ukraine, never occupying our cities. I want to give full credit to Russia for not killing tens of thousands of my fellow Ukrainians. I wish that they release all the hostages, all the soldiers who protect their lands, all the civilians who are now in their prisons.”
“But I can't change history. “I can’t change the past,” Chernov continued. “But all together (you, I agree with you, some of the most talented people in the world) can make sure that history is clear and that the truth prevails. And that the people of Mariupol and those who have given their lives will never be forgotten. Because cinema forms memories and memories form history.”
Chernov received a second ovation at the end of his speech.
Later in the show, the traditional In Memoriam segment opened with a clip of the now-deceased Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny speaking directly to the camera from the Oscar-winning documentary “Navalny.” The politician and Putin critic died last month while he was imprisoned in Russia.
Outside the event, pro-Palestinian protesters on the streets of Hollywood leading to the Dolby Theater delayed the arrival of some attendees and the show began a few minutes late.
Dave Mullins, director of the winning animated short “War Is Over!”, said simply: “There is an anti-war message that we try to honor with this film.” The short is inspired by the John Lennon and Yoko Ono song “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” and his son, Sean Ono Lennon, co-writer of the film, was also on stage.
In his opening monologue, host Jimmy Kimmel didn't mention the war between Israel and Hamas, but he did talk about a conflict closer to home, referencing the recent WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes before calling the Hamas team to the stage. the night and express their support for the unions that enter. in their own negotiations.
“The reason we were able to reach an agreement is because of the people who joined us,” Kimmel said. “So before we celebrate, let's give a well-deserved round of applause to the people who work behind the scenes, the Teamsters, the truckers, the lighting crew, the sound, the camera, the gaffers, the grips, all the people who refused to cross. the pickets. “If you’re going to wear Skechers to the Oscars, take a bow.”
“Thank you for being with us,” Kimmel added, bringing much of the backstage crew onto the stage. “And we also want you to know that in your next negotiations we will also be with you. Plus, I’ll make sure this show goes long tonight so you have plenty of extra time.”
Just before the best picture presentation, Kimmel said, “I'm really proud of something and I was wondering if I could share it with you,” before reading an actual social media post from former President Donald Trump criticizing Kimmel's performance.
“Thanks for watching,” Kimmel added. “Haven't you already spent your time in jail?”
