The Academy Awards….Separate But Equal

Last night over 37 million viewers tuned in to watch the 83rd Annual Academy Awards. As far as the Oscar winners go there were no real surprises, but what was more interesting were the films and individuals who did not receive any accolades from the Academy and whom were barely present at all last night. Did anyone else watching the Oscars last night notice the lack of people of color in the nominated films? What about the lack of people of color in attendance to the big show?

Now I, like many others did watch and enjoy most of the films nominated this year, but I couldn’t help but notice that something was missing. There were no people of color present in any of the ten films nominated for Best Picture. At last year’s Academy Awards we had a handful of black actors nominated and starring in the Oscar worthy films. The Blind Side’s Quinton Aaron (lead role), the stars from Precious Gabourey Sidibe (lead role) Lee Daniels (director and producer), Zoe Saldana Avatar (lead role) and in the Oscar winning best film The Hurt Locker Anthony Mackie gave an outstanding performance. These individuals made history and gained critical acclaim.

So where were our black actors, actresses and directors in 2010? Halle Berry made a brief appearance at the Oscars during her tribute to the great Lena Horne, but Ms. Berry was also the lead role in the December released film Frankie and Alice. One of our Hurt Locker favorites, Anthony Mackie had another strong performance in the film Night Catches Us. Precious producer Tyler Perry directed and produced another film this year, For Colored Girls staring some of the great African American actresses including; Loretta Devine, Thandie Newton, Whoopie Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, and Kimberly Elise.

I am not saying that any of these films deserved an Oscar nomination over any other film. But one must wonder what separates these films from the Oscar Nominees? Was this year just a down year in black films? Perhaps this was a mediocre year in black film, but then a better question is can an all black cast take home the Oscar or is it necessary to have the “white savior” character as seen in The Blind Side and The Hurt Locker.

This is an interesting thought to ponder, but many of us ultimately just want to enjoy a great film. In this case be sure to check out the films listed below.

-Krystal


“Liberation is a praxis: the action and reflection of men and women upon their world in order to transform it.”


In Theatres Now….
Frankie and Alice- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cb60liIl9o

For Colored Girls- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDWU_cFU9ZA

Night Catches Us- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9vmFczH2_M&playnext=1&list=PLEE9C02761C662972

Coming Soon…

Everyday Black Man- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSt0QD6jcC4

Joy Road- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0g_fDald8I

Winnie- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONuz04ZN3vw&feature=related