The MFJS Reporter — Winter 2020 T-R

Many movie fans and critics were shocked when films like Lorene Scafaria’s Hustlers, which is made up of a predominantly female cast, and Lulu Wang’s, “The Farewell”, which is comprised of an all Asian cast, were left out of the nominations list. Films like “The Irishman,”, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” and “1917,”each starring a primarily Caucasian cast, received a heavy 10 nominations. 

Many students at the University of Denver (DU) have strong and unique opinions about the awards ceremony and its nomination decisions. 

“I think diversity should definitely be taken into account when the Academy chooses their nominees,” said Charlie Lemke-Bell, a University of Denver student. “Being someone who is biracial, I always thought movies were better when I saw people who looked like me in them. I think it’s important that the Academy recognizes films who tell stories starring characters that are underrepresented, because those movies make more of an impact.”

This isn’t the first time the Academy Awards have been criticized for a lack of diversity. Following a Los Angeles Times study showing the Academy’s demographics being 94 percent Caucasian and 77 percent male, the 2015 “#OscarsSoWhite” movement was created, protesting the Academy. In response, the Academy added numerous new voters, leading there to be more than 1,200 people of color as members of the organization, a large increase from before. Still, with this addition, the Academy has angered people yet again with their lack of representation in the 2020 nominations. 

DU Student, Max Smith, disagrees with the outrage and doesn’t believe that diversity in a film should be judged when choosing the nominees. 

 “When the Academy picks which movies should be nominated, it should all be based on the quality of the movie, not what the cast looks like,” Smith said. “One great movie can have an all-white cast, and another can have an all African-American cast, I think they both should be considered equally based simply off how good the movie is.” 

Not only are film casts being eyed on heavily these days, film crew and production staff are also being looked at through a magnifying glass. Greta Gerwig, esteemed film director of “Little Women”, was left out of the “Best Director” category by the Academy. Due to the fact that only four female directors have been nominated for an Academy Award (her being one of them for previous film, “Ladybird”), many believed this would be the year that a female would win the “Best Director” title for the first time ever.

Like “Little Women”, this year of cinema has been filled with many historic pieces. Others being the 10 times nominated “1917”, which takes place during World War I, and the six times nominated, “Jojo Rabbit”, which takes place during World War II. 

“I really believe films should be diverse and represent people of all backgrounds. But there are some films where they need to make sure they are being realistic, and that may mean they can’t necessarily be diverse,” said DU student Abby Ramsey. “For example, the movie ‘1917’. The film is based on a true story about two guys fighting in the British army during World War II and if the director had added female characters into the film it may not have made realistic sense due to the fact that the army was largely comprised of men.” 

The need of cast-realities (in regard to looks) is often talked about these days when discussing films, theatre, and shows. Admired playwright, Lin Manuel-Miranda, boosted the conversation when he famously cast people of color to play Caucasian figures of history like George Washington in his Broadway show, “Hamilton”. 

“I think people’s voices are being heard,” said Lemke-Bell. “Whether or not casting directors or the Academy will listen to these voices isn’t up to me… but what is up to me is whether or not I enjoyed the movie.”