Actors have joined together with filmmakers in a letter to the Academy protesting their decision to present four of the categories—film editing, live-action shorts, makeup and hairstyling, and cinematography—during the Oscars’s commercial break, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The actors actively protesting this controversial decision include George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Robert De Niro, Elizabeth Banks, Peter Dinklage and Kerry Washington. Other directors who have joined in the opposition are Alfonso Cuaron, Christopher Nolan, Michael Mann, Alejandro G. Inarritu, and Guillermo del Toro.
The letter, which was initially released on Wednesday, states that the Academy goes against their duty for representing film in a constructive way. They have “drifted from this mission in our pursuit of presenting entertainment rather than in presenting a celebration of our art form and the people behind it.”
The Academy has defended this choice by saying that it was done in an effort to cut down the runtime of the awards show. Their response to any possible backlash was that, “no award category at the 91st Oscars ceremony will be presented in a manner that depicts the achievements of its nominees and winners as less than any others.” The format of this new plan would still have the presentation of the award, but would omit the winners walking on stage.
The Oscars date is quickly approaching so it may be too late to reverse the decision, but filmmakers continue to rally for change. Watch the Oscars on Sunday, February 24 to see the turnout.
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