It has become a tradition during awards season for last year’s Best Actress victor to present the award for Best Actor. I realise a moment like this is a huge confluence of luck and opportunity so I want to thank Damien Chazelle to be given the opportunity. Last month, Fresh Off the Boat actress Constance Wu made headlines when she spoke out against the Academy for nominating Affleck despite his ongoing sexual harassment allegations. To the contrary, they’ve welcomed Affleck with open arms and a Best Actor award. She nearly certainly would have preferred giving the prize to Denzel Washington. Affleck won the Golden Globe for Best Leading Actor in a Drama along with the BAFTA for the same category.
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There’s a valuable debate to be had about separating art from artist. Some people didn’t find it right that despite being charged with such serious allegations, the actor was honoured with the prestigious award.
Here’s why: Casey had two separate sexual harassment lawsuits brought against him in 2010 from women who worked on the set of the film I’m Still Here, which Casey directed. Thank you. And to all the other nominees, you did great work.
Affleck can next be seen opposite Rooney Mara, shrouded in a bed sheet and largely silent, in David Lowery’s “Ghost Story”, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
Affleck’s win is frustrating in multiple ways at once. Indeed, his performance in Manchester has already been called one of the top performances of the year. Larson herself refused to applaud after announcing Affleck’s win, and looked downright downtrodden over the whole thing. In fact, Ben helped him with a 2016 Batman v. Superman sendup as part of Jimmy Kimmel Live’s 2016 Oscars special, in preparation for the big night on the show’s home network ABC. Most Oscar winners don’t do that.
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But because Affleck is currently doing a movie right now that requires his hair long and shaggy and his beard unkempt, Guillaume had to get creative in the hair and skincare department. Hacksaw Ridge won two awards on the night, for Best Sound Mixing and Best Film Editing.
