Last night theOscars winners 2020were announced. And presenting was a past winner.Star Warsstar Natalie Portman attended this year’s Academy Awards wearing a very special tuxedo-cut blake cape featuring a stunning detail that made a pretty clear political statement regarding the best director nominees.
The dress worn byNatalie Portmanfeatured the names of female directors, who in Portman’s opinion had been snubbed, embroidered on the lapel with golden thread. And for those who still did not get the message, Portman clarified this specific detailing on her outfit when asked about it on the red carpet.
“I wanted to recognize the women who were not recognized for their incredible work this year… in my subtle way.”
This awards season has been full of wonderfully crafted movies, helmed by female directors. Movies that have been praised both critically and commercially, yet still did not manage to achieve the honor of being nominated at this year’sOscars. Natalie Portman’s golden threaded ensemble included most of the names that the Academy failed to consider including Lulu Wang forThe Farewell, Greta Gerwig forLittle Women, Marielle Heller forA Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Melina Matsoukas forQueen & Slim, Lorene Scafaria forHustlers, Mati Diop forAtlantics, Alma Har’el forHoney Boyand Céline Sciamma forPortrait of a Lady on Fire.
In the entire 92-year history of the Academy,only 5 women have ever been nominatedfor the much-coveted Best Director award, with only one ever taking it home. That was, of course, Kathryn Bigelow for her intense war dramaThe Hurt Locker. Sadly, things still have yet to change as the nominees for 2020 were once again male-dominated with Martin Scorsese picking up a nomination forThe Irishman, Todd Phillips forJoker, Sam Mendes for1917, Quentin Tarantino forOnce Upon a Time… in Hollywood, and Bong Joon Ho forParasite, which came away with the victory. Obviously this is not to say that these directors did not deserve to be nominated, but the conversation has now begun as to whether the Oscars should have more options for Best Director, or even split the award into ‘male’ and ‘female’.
Watchers at home could see Natalie Portman in her dress as she announced the winner of the Best Adaptaed Screenplay, which went to Taika Waititi forJoJo Rabbit. Announcing beside Timothee Chalamet, she had removed her cape by the time she made it out on stage.
This is also not the first time that Natalie Portman has called out the lack of female nominees atThe Academy Awards, and declared her annoyance at so many talented female filmmakers being overlooked. Last year Portman presented the award for Best Director alongside Ron Howard at the Golden Globes and took the opportunity whilst on stage to have a swipe at the awards for having no female directors among the five nominees.
“Here are all the male nominees.”
This year’s Academy Awards did make history, however, with director Bong Joon Ho’sParasitebeing the first foreign-language movie to ever take home the Best Picture award. This comes to us fromOscars Ceremony 2020andAmy Kaufman’s Official Twitter Account.
