As the 97th Academy Awards ceremony approaches, many people in Hollywood, including voters, have expressed disappointment at the nomination for Best Picture.
Small films like “Emilia Perez,” “The Brutalist,” and “Anora” have gained recognition, but in 2024 blockbusters like “Deadpool and the Wolverine” have surpassed $1.3 billion in hits. Inclusion (DEI) requirements.
Podcaster and author Raymond Arroyo discussed the dissatisfaction among voters, pointing to how the new academy guidelines introduced last year require that they meet two of four criteria related to underrepresented groups such as racial and ethnic minorities, women, women with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. The emphasis on “checkboxes” has eliminated mainstream films that could be nominated. “Many voters feel that these requirements disqualify films that don’t have creative crew or cast to meet these standards,” Arroyo said.
This focus on inclusion has led to increased frustration among voters, with some even choosing not to vote at all. Arroyo shared that many voters feel that Oscar has “jumped to the shark” and believes the awards show is coming to an end. “They feel this is the end of the Oscars in some respects,” Arroyo explained. “There’s a disconnect between the academy and the average movie fan.”
This disconnect between voters and audiences is further emphasized by the omitted “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which resonated widely with the audience but failed to meet the Academy’s new standards of diversity. “If voters had kept in touch with the average movie fan, they would have nominated Deadpool & Wolverine,” Arroyo claimed, referring to the film’s box office revenue and fan popularity. This year, “Wicked” is one of the few box office grossing nominations, with films like “Burthaist” and “Anora” being considered art house productions that viewers have rarely seen.
As the ceremony approaches, controversy over the nominations can affect viewers. Last year, Oscar saw a 19.5 million viewers, which increased slightly since 2023, but Arroyo speculated that this year’s rating would not see a similar boost. “You really didn’t capture the times or anything that people were really inspired, except for the ‘wicked ones,” he said. With few mainstream films nominated, the 2024 ceremony may be tough to capture public interest.
Additionally, the drama surrounding “Emilia Perez” star Cara Sophia Gascon, who became the first transgender figure to be nominated for an Academy Award, was added to the controversy. Gascon faced backlash after racist and Islamophobic tweets surfaced, leading him to skip the Oscar nominated dinner. Despite her absence, Gascon is still scheduled to attend the ceremony, but her controversy has raised doubts about the film’s chances. The incident underscores the continued tension surrounding expression and inclusion in the entertainment industry.
With so many challenges facing this year’s Oscars, Arroyo hopes the awards will become more democratic, allowing the audience to have a greater say in nominations and ultimately in cultural conversations. “Cinema has not been the definitive touchstone of culture at one time,” he said. “The ground has changed, and it’s probably time for Oscar to shift with that.” As Hollywood evolves, it remains uncertain whether Oscar will be able to adapt in a way that resonates with both the industry and the audiences of the world.