aNewDomain — For the second year in a row, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has nominated an all-white group of acting nominees. This year’s list of Oscar nominees won out over popular, well-reviewed performances in the movies “Creed” and “Straight Outta Compton.” Popular actors of color including Idris Elba, Samuel L. Jackson and Will Smith were also beaten by superior white acting, according to the academy.
“For the two black movies that made over $100 million at the box office, touched a nerve and are artistically fresh, only white people were nominated. How does that work?” asked producer and academy member Stephanie Allain, referring to “Creed” and “Compton.”
“It’s about talent and this year again white people have it,” said Doug Waller at Sony. “Don’t get me wrong. Creed and Compton are great movies, but white male directors have had to up their game to beat those movies and make even better movies. The 2016 Oscar nominations have proven they could. I’m proud of them.”
The question now is, can people of color find their way into the nomination process?
“Did you see Leonardo DiCaprio in Revenant?” Asked Bob Benson at Dreamworks. “He acted the shit out of that movie in scene after scene. It wasn’t about being white. It was about great acting and happening to be white.” Look, I loved Will Smith in Concussion, but after seeing Leo, I couldn’t remember Smith’s name, despite it being so common.”
“Again,” said Waller, “I’m sure DeCaprio saw Smith in Concussion and thought he couldn’t phone this one in. The actors of color are upping everyone’s game. All boats rise in a rising tide. My hats off to them.”
Sylvester Stallone was nominated for best supporting actor for his performance in Warner Bros.’ “Creed,” but the film’s black writer-director, Ryan Coogler, and black star, Michael B. Jordan, were not. Was that embarrassing for the actor who reprises the Italian Stallion for the movie?
“Hey, I made a move called Oscar and I was snubbed. Does that answer your question?” said Stallone.
No.
“Yes it does.”
For aNewDomain, I’m Frank Visa.
