Oscars 2020: A Night of Pathogens, Pests, and Dominant Figures
In a shocking turn of events, the wizened man hobbling through the esteemed Supreme Court of New York doesn't wear a robe or a wig, but rather, Harvey Weinstein's tattered suit. From a titan of power to a pariah, he's dogged by allegations of harassment from the likes of every woman in Tinseltown and beyond, his lifeless eyes gazing into the void. The man who once embodied the unscrupulous practices of Hollywood's dark underbelly, as chronicled by Ken Anger in his cult classic Hollywood Babylon, now finds himself shunned, forced into a grotesque, media-driven conviction by the very allies who'd once remained silent.
As Weinstein shuffles along, Tinseltown, famed for its fairy tales, is anything but safe. The games of power persist, and women continue to face oppression. The Oscars, usually a night for celebration, has become yet another battleground. Moving up three weeks this year, it's sapped the little attention and breath that struggling independent cinema managed to hold, with Sundance losing its luster in the process.
Issa Rae, provocatively introducing the 2020 directing nominations on January 13, declared, "Congratulations to all those men!" And there wasn't a single woman among the nominees. Even Greta Gerwig, preeminent contender for her reimagining of the classic Little Women, was left out. Despite four years of talks on gender equality and opportunities, here comes yet another all-white edition. "Whiter than white," quipped Graham Norton on the BAFTA stage, introducing the protagonist of Joker. Joaquin Phoenix, spectral and psychotic, ascends the stage to collect his award, launching into yet another sermon on recognition, appreciation, and respect for hard work.
Phoenix isn't wrong. It's better to be overlooked if recognition comes tied to pink quotas, a tactic Hollywood's long implemented. Women have far less directing experience, primarily due to a lack of opportunities.
Greta Gerwig's snub for Little Women was a missed opportunity of monumental proportion. With a stellar crew and the captivating Saoirse Ronan leading the cast, Gerwig's remake of the classic was the frontrunner among women contenders. However, her inexperience showed, as she struggled to direct some of her actors, particularly Laura Dern. The result: an incomplete film with immense potential that failed to live up to expectations.
The snub prompted widespread critique, underscoring the persistent gender imbalance in Hollywood. Gerwig's direction of Little Women was notable for its innovative storytelling and nuanced character development, earning the film critical acclaim. The film's impact contributed to a broader conversation about the need for greater diversity and inclusion in the film industry.
In the realm of entertainment and pop-culture, the Oscars, traditionally a celebratory event, have become a contested battleground, overtaking the attention of struggling independent cinema. Issa Rae's declaration at the 2020 Oscars exposed the gender imbalance, as no women were nominated in the directing category. This oversight was particularly noteworthy for Greta Gerwig's innovative direction of the film adaptation of 'Little Women', which showcased her unique storytelling and character development, making it a film of immense potential.
