Initially renowned for symbolizing top-tier filmmaking, the Oscars have seen a decline from their past prestige, a change that has been expedited by the introduction of diversity and inclusivity regulations in 2024.
In response to the #OscarsSoWhite protests in 2015 and 2016, these changes were implemented to address perceived inequalities. However, these modifications have been criticized for undermining the merit-based tradition that characterized the awards. Consequently, the 97th Academy Awards held on March 2, 2025, serve as a symbol of a legacy tainted by identity politics.
Back in 2014, I stumbled upon some intriguing findings from a poll conducted by the Los Angeles Times. It seems the crowd shaping the Oscar winners was predominantly white (94% to be exact), mostly male (76%), and on average had seen more years than my favorite classic films (average age of 63). This data, in turn, highlighted a striking absence of diversity within their ranks.
In response, the Academy established specific guidelines for Best Picture contenders by the 96th Oscars, which stated that a film must fulfill at least two out of four conditions – having a diverse cast, representation in the crew, accessibility within the industry, or inclusive marketing strategies. As per the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, these changes resulted in a 19% growth in female nominees and a 20% increase in non-white nominees by the year 2024.
Nevertheless, this overhaul faced criticism, particularly from Steven Spielberg, who advocated for increased representation but resisted the idea of stripping voting rights from long-standing members. He warned that such a move would unfairly penalize those who had earned their status through years of dedication and contribution. Indeed, his warning proved accurate: instead of fostering fairness, the new system has shifted attention away from merit to an inflexible emphasis on demographics, necessitating decisions based on race and gender that have inverted the Academy’s initial values, making it a place where identity, rather than artistry, holds dominion.
This change has been accompanied by a concerning decrease in the attentiveness of voters. Four members of the Academy – a director, writer, publicist, and casting director – admitted to missing out on watching Dune: Part Two, a Best Picture nominee that made $714.4 million globally, due to its lengthy 2 hours and 46 minutes or a lack of fascination for science fiction. These oversights, while not entirely uncommon, highlight a weakening sense of accountability within a membership numbering over 9,900.
In addition to larger oversights, this carelessness also occurred at the level of individual accolades. For instance, Ralph Fiennes, who was nominated for Best Actor in “Conclave”, was unjustifiably overlooked by two voters who erroneously thought he had already won for “Schindler’s List” in 1993. However, it was Tommy Lee Jones who ultimately took the award that year. Interestingly, these same voters supported Adrien Brody for “The Brutalist”, disregarding his previous Best Actor win for “The Pianist” in 2003.
The inconsistency in voting suggests that voters aren’t fully fulfilling their responsibilities. Instead, they seem to be making decisions based on surface-level understandings of their personal opinions, rather than thoroughly examining the collection of submissions they are supposed to evaluate. This issue is exacerbated by a system that emphasizes easy compliance over competence.
Consider the musical drama titled “Emilia Pérez“, which was nominated for 11 awards in 2024, including Best Picture. This recognition came about due to its multicultural cast and positive reviews from critics.
The audience found it lacking, yet due to its extensive focus on various aspects of diversity, it was still approved by voters – not based on its quality or worth, but rather due to shared identities and public perception.
Contrarily, acclaimed films such as “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” which garnered 11 Oscars in 2003 and amassed an impressive $1.14 billion worldwide, beautifully blended artistic brilliance with popular appeal. Regrettably, this harmonious resonance seems to be noticeably missing today.
Movies such as “Dune: Part Two” and “Wicked” (which earned an impressive $378 million) are often overshadowed by productions that prioritize diversity over mass appeal, highlighting a significant divide between the Academy’s choices and the audience they originally catered to.
As a dedicated cinephile, I’ve noticed a troubling trend with the Oscars over the years. The viewership for the 2023 broadcast dropped significantly to 18.7 million, a stark contrast from the impressive 43.7 million viewers in 2014. Predictions suggest that this downward spiral may continue into 2025. Factors like Netflix’s 12 Oscar wins since 2018 and the explosive growth of TikTok (with an astonishing 1.5 billion users) have certainly played a part in this decline. However, I firmly believe that the Academy’s overemphasis on demographic quotas has accelerated its fall from grace.
Furthermore, weaknesses in the standards, which permit movies such as Oppenheimer, due to its predominantly white cast being eligible through crew diversity, call into question their ‘meaningful reforms.’ This suggests a system that prioritizes technicalities over genuine artistic merit or authenticity.
The storyline of the Oscars points towards a downward trend. Poor judgment from voters, as seen in overlooked masterpieces and confused decisions, along with an incorrect focus on identity rather than skill, have turned an organization previously symbolizing excellence into a remnant of its former glory.
Steven Spielberg’s statement holds weight – if a system discards fundamental values for superficial reasons, it may end up losing its essence. The Oscars are experiencing this predicament as viewers dwindle and films with depth get overlooked. The Academy now finds itself at a critical juncture, their prestige weakened not by change but by neglecting the values that once set them apart.
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2025-03-05 02:53