H’WOOD TAKES ON TRUMP AT OSCARS
We don’t discriminate against people based on their countries: Kimmel
Hollywood seized the global platform of the Oscars on Monday to take on Donald Trump, but stars kept the tone light and inclusive after the President’s divisive debut.
With Trump famous for his angry Twitter attacks on critics, Hollywood’s stars made jibes about incurring his wrath but mostly adopted a celebratory mood, with multiple winners highlighting their origins as immi- grants, minorities or foreigners. “This broadcast is being watched live by millions of Americans and around the world in more than 225 countries that now hate us,” host Jimmy Kimmel said in his opening monologue.
The late-night comedian quipped that Mr Trump had taken the heat off Hollywood and its annual gala. “I want to say thank you to President Trump. Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? That’s gone,” Kimmel said.
“We are very welcoming to outsiders here in Hollywood. We don’t discriminate on people based on what countries they come from. We discriminate them based on their age and weight.”
Midway, Kimmel tried to get a rise out of Mr Trump by tweeting to him on the air. By the show’s end, the President didn’t take the bait.
Tarell Alvin McCraney who won an Oscar for best adapted screenplay for Moonlight said: “This goes out to all those black and brown boys and girls, and non-gender-conforming, who don’t see themselves — we’re trying to show you.”
Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal said: “As a Mexican, as a Latin American, as a migrant worker...I’m against any form of wall that wants to separate us.”
Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs said : “Tonight is proof that art has no borders.” — Agencies
Sunny Pawar takes a selfie with actor Samuel L Jackson and his wife, while Seth Rogen photobombs the photo session. The PulpFiction star Jackson is clearly smitten by Pawar, who, he believes, should have won an Oscar on Monday as he is ‘killing it’.