Celebrities Champion Global Harmony at the Annual Academy Awards
Amidst the glitz and glamour of the Oscars, the focus shifted to promoting world peace over political agendas. A unifying message of global harmony echoed through the star-studded event, highlighting a collective call for peace and unity.
Politics was not a big topic at the Oscars on Sunday, but there were several appeals for global peace.
When Jonathan Glazer won the Academy Award for best international feature for his film "The Zone of Interest," he used his acceptance speech to highlight the consequences of dehumanization.
Shortly after, Glazer mentioned the current conflict in Gaza. He expressed his concern about the Holocaust being overshadowed by the ongoing occupation and resulting conflict that has affected many innocent people.
He then posed a question to the audience, asking how we can resist the dehumanization of all victims, whether it be the recent events in Israel on October 7 or the ongoing attacks in Gaza.
"The Zone of Interest" is a film that follows the daily life of the commandant of Auschwitz and his family, who live right next to the death camp. While sounds of suffering can be heard, the movie does not show the atrocities that are taking place. This film, which comes from the United Kingdom, also won the Oscar for best sound on Sunday.
"The Zone of Interest"
"The Zone of Interest"
Courtesy of A24
Later in the telecast, director Mstyslav Chernov shifted the focus to another world conflict, highlighting the situation in Ukraine.
Chernov received the best feature documentary feature Oscar for “20 Days In Mariupol” and noted that it was the first Oscar win in Ukrainian history. In his speech, he expressed a non-traditional sentiment, stating, “probably I will be the first director on this stage who will say, ‘I wish I never made this film.’ I wish to be able to exchange this (for) Russia never attacking Ukraine, never occupying our cities.”
Chernov expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of tens of thousands of Ukrainians at the hands of Russia and the civilians currently imprisoned. He emphasized the importance of setting the historical record straight and ensuring that the truth prevails, so that the people of Mariupol and those who have sacrificed their lives are never forgotten.
Chernov highlighted the significance of cinema in forming memories, which in turn shape history. He thanked the audience, recognizing them as some of the most talented individuals in the world, for their role in preserving the memory of those affected by the conflict.
"20 Days in Mariupol" tells the story of a group of Ukrainian journalists who find themselves stuck in the besieged port city when the Russian invasion starts. Despite the dangerous situation, they are determined to keep reporting on the war and the horrible things happening.
Ukrainian filmmaker Mstyslav Chernov (C), flanked by (from L) Raney Aronson-Rath, Vasilisa Stepanenko and Evgeniy Maloletka, accepting the award for best documentary feature for "20 Days in Mariupol."
Ukrainian filmmaker Mstyslav Chernov accepted the award for best documentary feature for "20 Days in Mariupol." He was flanked by Raney Aronson-Rath, Vasilisa Stepanenko, and Evgeniy Maloletka in the photo. The picture was taken by Patrick T. Fallon and was featured by AFP/Getty Images.
The Oscars ceremony paid tribute to the late Russian activist Alexei Navalny during the "In Memoriam" segment. Navalny's video message, with the quote, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing," was shown in case of his death.
Navalny, who was featured in the CNN documentary that won the Oscar for best feature documentary at the 2023 Academy Awards, passed away last month while in a Russian prison.
The Oscars on Sunday saw some guests making a statement for peace through their fashion choices. Stars like Billie Eilish, Finneas, Mahershala Ali, Mark Ruffalo, Ava DuVernay, Ramy Youssef, and others wore red pins with symbolic meaning.
According to a press statement by Artists4Ceasefire, the pin represents solidarity for an instant and lasting cease-fire, the liberation of all hostages, and the prompt provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.
Near the end of the show, host Jimmy Kimmel made a direct reference to US politics. He read a post from former President Donald Trump on his platform Truth Social, word for word.
After reading the post, Kimmel humorously asked, "Isn’t it past your jail time?"
CNN’s Marianne Garvey and Jacqui Palumbo contributed to this report.
Editor's P/S:
The 95th Academy Awards highlighted the power of cinema in addressing global conflicts and promoting peace. Jonathan Glazer's "The Zone of Interest" and Mstyslav Chernov's "20 Days In Mariupol" brought attention to the ongoing horrors in Gaza and Ukraine, respectively. Glazer's film explores the dehumanizing effects of war, while Chernov's documentary captures the resilience and sacrifice of Ukrainian journalists amidst the Russian invasion. Both films serve as poignant reminders of the human cost of conflict and the importance of preserving memory and truth.
The Oscars also provided a platform for political statements, with guests wearing red pins in solidarity with victims in Gaza. Jimmy Kimmel's humorous jab at former President Trump further underscored the intersection of entertainment and politics. By showcasing these diverse perspectives, the ceremony emphasized the role of art in raising awareness, fostering empathy, and challenging injustice. Oscars platform transcended mere entertainment, becoming a forum for raising awareness and advocating for humanitarian causes.
