There’s a reason that studios spend large sums of money to promote their films. You can’t get audiences into the theaters if they haven’t heard of your movie. That holds true for the studio’s Oscar campaigns. Last year, with the Actors Strike, it wasn’t possible for the studios to have stars make the rounds on television programs and late-night talk shows. Director Martin Scorsese did promotional work himself to promote “The Killers of the Flower Moon”.
If a film scores an Academy Award nomination, it’s a big boost to the profitability of that film. Even if it’s a nomination in a below-the-line category like music or editing, there’ll still be a blurb in the marketing trumpeting it as “Oscar nominated”. Sometimes, films that had already completed their theatrical run, will return to cinemas or a theatrical run will be extended. The nominations ensure that film fans will seek out those nominated films. That’s especially true if a film is nominated that’s a surprise. A film that wasn’t on given a big distribution so that few people have heard of it–let alone watched it at a cineplex. For instance, the Spanish/French silent animated film, “Robot Dreams”, which will now likely get distribution on a streaming service.
“Academy members from each of the 18 branches vote to determine the nominees in their respective categories – actors nominate actors, film editors nominate film editors, etc. In the Animated Feature Film, International Feature Film and Live Action Short Film categories, nominees are selected by a vote of multi-branch screening committees. All voting members are eligible to select the Best Picture nominees. This year, voter participation was at an all-time high, with members submitting ballots from a record 93 countries“. –excerpt from Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences website.
This is how a film can be nominated for Best Motion Picture of the Year but sadly, the director of that film may not get a nomination. It’s great to see some blockbusters like “Barbie” nominated in the 10 Best Films along with the inclusion of an international films, “Anatomy of a Fall” and “The Zone of Interest”. Much has been said about the exclusion of Greta Gerwig, who not only directed “Barbie” but also co-wrote the screenplay with her partner, Noah Baumbach. It’s disappointing, and sadly, par for the course for the Academy.
America Ferrera seems to have gotten the consolation nomination in the supporting actress category. Ferrera gives the impassioned speech that is the theme of the film, but she’s one of many supporting characters in “Barbie”. This year’s nominations seem to prove that a film shouldn’t be too fun, too fantastical, or too feminine if it wants Oscar love. The Academy has never been kind to comedy. There’s very little recognition for films that have talented stars that are comedians. It was a surprise that Ryan Gosling was nominated for “Barbie”, but it was dismaying to see that Margot Robbie was not. He gives a great performance but as Gosling himself has said, “there’s no Ken without Barbie”. –from a statement Gosling released to the press.
Let’s not let this dismay overshadow the fact that “Barbie” is in the Best Picture nominations and so is another feminist film directed by a woman, “Anatomy of a Fall”. The cerebral realistic sister to the bubblegum pink emotional feminism of “Barbie”, we can celebrate that “Anatomy of a Fall” director, Justine Triet is nominated for Best Director. The brilliant Sandra Hüller stars in the film and “Zone of Interest” and she’s nominated for Best Actress.
Plus, Lily Gladstone continues her domination at the awards shows with her nomination in that category. There’s much to celebrate. Including the fact that three of the Best Picture nominations (out of 20) are directed by women! Yay for “Past Lives”, “Anatomy of a Fall” & “Barbie”! This isn’t parity but it’s at least strides in the right direction.
I was surprised to see “American Fiction” awarded so many nominations. It’s a good film, but did it receive nominations because Academy members didn’t see the groundbreaking “Origin”. the biographical drama picture exploring caste as it relates to racism written and directed by Ava DuVernay? Perhaps they felt bad for not nominating the musical, “The Color Purple” or more of its cast? Danielle Brooks is nominated in the supporting actress category for her role in the film but otherwise the film was shut out. Sterling K. Brown has a few pivotal scenes in “American Fiction”, but the role is not a creative stretch or a showy performance.
I was also sad that “All of Us Strangers” written and directed by Andrew Haigh, didn’t receive any Academy nods. It definitely falls into the category of films not likely to get recognized: the fun, fantastical, or feminine. In this case, fantastical: “Strangers” is a queer love story (Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal) within a dystopian ghost story. It’s a tender romance and a beautiful journey of self-acceptance and healing with outstanding performances by all four of the actors (Jamie Bell and Claire Foy). The film is still screening in some theaters.
The Oscars telecast is Sunday, March 10th. This gives audiences time to go see some of these nominated films. I hope that the International Film nomination for “Perfect Days” (director Wim Wenders) will give that film, my favorite of 2023, a wider theatrical release starting next week. And I encourage everyone to seek out “Poor Things” on the biggest screen you can. The production design is truly extraordinary.
Drag your friends to the movie theater. Tell them, Drinks with Films sent you.
Drinks with films 