9 incidents and scandals associated with the presentation of the Oscars

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

The Oscar is considered to be the most prestigious award given to the best filmmakers. The presentation ceremony becomes perhaps the most important and expected social event at the end of winter. Unfortunately, even this beautiful ceremony was not complete without scandals and incidents, which were then discussed for a long time by both journalists and ordinary spectators.

1940: Hattie McDaniel

In 1940, the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor (Mom in the film Gone with the Wind) was presented to the African American actress Hattie McDaniel for the first time in the history of the film award. But even the recognition of her talent was not a reason for a black woman to sit next to her white colleagues. Therefore, a place was allocated for her in the farthest part of the hall. Hattie McDaniel, despite everything, was happy, and from her lips words of gratitude and gratitude sounded especially touching.

1973: Marlon Brando

The famous actor in 1973 not only turned down an award for his role as Vito Corleone in the legendary film The Godfather. He sent in his place a girl in the national Indian costume, who read a letter from Marlon Brando. The actor could not accept the high award due to the fact that the Indians are humiliated in the film industry, they are portrayed as savages and barbarians, and only white actors play the main roles in films about Indians.

1974: Robert Opel

When, during the ceremony, host David Niven was about to invite the incomparable Elizabeth Taylor to the stage for the presentation of the award, Robert Opel suddenly ran completely naked from one stage to another behind him. By his appearance at the ceremony in such an extravagant form, the owner of an art gallery protested against the imposed ban on the appearance of nudists on the beaches of Los Angeles.

1993: Gilbert Cates

65 The Oscar ceremony was remembered for the fact that the awarded actors took the stage and made loud political statements, turning the event from a secular into a political one. Richard Gere spoke about the Chinese invasion of Tibet, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins decided to talk about the rights of HIV-positive Haitians. Then the producer of the ceremony, Gilbert Cates, promised everyone who said even a word more about politics to ban entry to the events forever. Fortunately, the threats were quickly forgotten, and even those who continued to speak on a forbidden topic, several years later, took the stage for their golden statuettes.

2003: Roman Polanski

At the 75th ceremony, Roman Polanski was recognized as the best director for the film "The Pianist". But he could not receive his award personally due to the fact that back in 1977 he confessed to the rape of 13-year-old Samantha Gailey. Despite cooperation with the investigation, Roman Polanski was forced to emigrate, fearing persecution, and still resides in France.

2012: Sacha Baron Cohen

Before the ceremony, the English comedian on the red carpet managed to shock the esteemed audience with his statement that Saddam Hussein himself allegedly recommended that he not spend a lot of money on socks. But the next joke could get the politicians worried. Sasha Baron Cohen took out a jar and stated that it contained the ashes of Kim Jong Il, who dreamed of attending the ceremony. Then Sasha Baron Cohen decided to “powder” the suit of Ryan Seacrest, who interviewed him, with dust from a can, accompanying his actions with another joke that now the journalist is wearing Kim Jong Il.

2016: #OscarsSoWhite

Shortly before the Oscar ceremony, a wave of outrage arose on the Internet, which was initiated by director Spike Lee. It was about the fact that there was not a single African American among the nominees. The colleague was supported by many actors and directors, which laid the foundation for the #OscarsSoWhite movement. The organizers had to make a public apology, which did not rid the film academics of accusations of racism.

2017: La La Land and Moonlight

This scandal is called the loudest in the history of the film award. Then the presenter Faye Dunaway announced the best film "La la Land". As it turned out, the presenter took out the wrong envelope, but in fact the picture "Moonlight" won the victory. “La La Landa” producer Jordan Horowitz had to explain to those present for a long time that there had been a mistake during his thanksgiving speeches. He invited the real winners to the stage and the statuettes were handed over to the creators of Moonlight.

2019: Kevin Hart

The 91st Oscar ceremony was held without a presenter, as actor Kevin Hart refused the role, and no replacement was found. Shortly before his refusal, the actor was criticized for his statements about the LGBT community, which he published from 2009 to 2011. Kevin Hart apologized but did not find it possible to host the ceremony.

The Oscar is the most important and prestigious award for filmmakers. The coveted golden statuette is the dream of directors and actors, screenwriters and composers who create soundtracks for films. Throughout the history of Soviet cinema only a few films have received this major award. And there weren't so many Oscar nominees from the Soviet Union.