From the opening monologue to acceptance speeches praising #Metoo and #TimesUP movements, as expected, Oscars this year had a few political moments, if not plenty. But two of the most profound ones came from Guillermo del Toro and Frances McDormand as they spoke about equality and diversity.
Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, who won Best Director for The Shape of Water honoured his Mexican roots and called for redoubling efforts to built a more tolerant society. “In the last 25 years, I’ve been living in a country all of our own. The greatest thing our industry does is to erase lines in the sand. We should continue to do that,” he said in his acceptance speech. The Shape of Water also received the Best Picture.
Makers of best animated film Coco also took the opportunity to talk about representation in the industry. In a very passionate speech, Lee Unkrich and Darla K. Anderson said the movie would not “exist without the people of Mexico” and their culture. “Marginalised people deserve to feel like they belong. Representation matters,” they added.
Frances McDormand, who received the Best Actress award for her performance in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, made a strong speech about gender and racial equality that was met with thundering applause. “Look around, ladies and gentlemen, because we all have stories to tell and projects we need financed...I have two words to leave with you tonight, ladies and gentlemen—inclusion rider,” she said.
The best punchline on Harvey Weinstein, of course, came from the host of the evening Jimmy Kimmel. Although both U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence got a mention each in his speech, Kimmel largely spoke about equality and the need for enforcing a positive environment in the industry.
Unlike The Golden Globes,there were no statements made with clothes at the Oscars. However, three of Harvey Weinstein’s accusers — Ashley Judd, Annabella Sciorra and Salma Hayek — took to the stage to honour diversity in movies and the gender equality movements. In addition, actors Kumail Nanjiani and Lupita Nyong’o touched upon the need for better representation in the industry while presenting an award.