Hollywood Speaks Out
As biz gets back to normal, will activism tarnish the glitter of awards shows?
The Hamas terrorist attack against Israel on Oct. 7 inflamed the Middle East region, igniting yet another war with thousands of victims, both Jewish and Palestinian. The repercussions of the conflict are now felt all over the world, signified by massive demonstrations from Paris to Caracas, for and against both sides of the conflagration.
And you can add Hollywood to that list of cities torn by the strong emotions that leave no room for middle ground, as many of the entertainment industry’s biggest companies and biggest names from the executive ranks and famous performers speak out — and square off.
Just what the 2023-2024 awards season needs. After years of COVID followed by a crippling WGA strike followed by an equally historic SAG-AFTRA walkout, it’s hard to predict what the current political unrest might wreak upon the planned speeches and glitzy kumbaya of the Oscars, Golden Globes and multitude of critics’ groups and professional guild awards.
We’ve been here before, with concepts like “restraint” and “decorum” having been out the window, replaced by speeches that have inspired both admiration and outrage.
Marlon Brando sent actress-activist Sacheen Littlefeather in 1973 to collect his “Godfather” actor Oscar and speak out about America’s poor treatment of Native Americans.
Oscar-winning doc “Hearts and Minds” producer Bert Schneider delivered warm greetings to America from the Viet Cong as Saigon was falling into their hands in 1975.
And when Vanessa Redgrave scooped up her acting Oscar for “Julia” in 1978, she took the opportunity to remind viewers of her support for Palestine and scorn for what she called “Zionist hooligans” who were protesting her appearance.
Since those days, nearly a half century ago, the list of causes to be trumpeted has grown and grown. Which has led, in the view of many industry observers, to an ever-shrinking audience at home. The theory is that awards show viewers are there for the frocks and starry frivolity, not sanctimony and hectoring. Hence the well-documented declines in ratings from the Grammys to the Oscars.
Will the current climate of contention, controversy and general bad vibes from both sides of the Middle East divide crash the parties and deep-six the celebrations for a truly outstanding year of cinema and small-screen achievements?
The honorees will have a lot more in their hands than just crystal keepsakes and gold-plated accolades; the whole world (that still watches kudoscasts) will be watching to find out if this awards season will be a trainwreck or a triumph.