Before you lock yourself in your Academy Awards’ bunker for the next few days (or weeks), I thought I’d take a moment for a few of this year’s more encouraging nominations that happened behind the camera.
Many hoped that Greta Gerwig, director of “Lady Bird,” and Jordan Peele, director of “Get Out,” would receive nominations, but it was still a delightful surprise to see both their names on the list for Best Director. Both were also nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay, and both represent groups that have traditionally been left out of the Best Director.
Gerwig is only the fifth woman up for the award, and only one of her four predecessors won. Peele is the fifth black man nominated, and none of the previous nominees won.
Outside of the directing category, another barrier was breached when Rachel Morrison became the first woman nominated for cinematography for her work on “Mudbound.” There really aren’t any adequate words to describe how mind-blowing that is so astounding will have to suffice.
For those who aren’t aware, the Academy Awards celebrate their 90th ceremony this year. Now take a moment to let those numbers really sink in. Keep in mind that between those two categories only one person actually won.
It’s a tremendous accomplishment by all of them, and a sobering reminder that we still have a ways to go when it comes to equality in Hollywood.
On that note, I’ll leave you to your Oscar binge-viewing. Just keep in mind who’s telling the story on the other side of the camera as well.
…Oh, and if you haven’t heard of “Mudbound,” you may have heard of another one of Morrison’s upcoming projects, a little mid-February release called, “Black Panther.”
…just for fun: