Like many film fans, the British actor was upset by the lack of nominations for black and minority ethnic stars in the lead and supporting Oscar categories, when they were announced on Thursday (14Jan16). Bridge of Spies was nominated for six awards, including best picture, and the new Star Wars film received nominations for visual effects, sound mixing, film editing, and original score.
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But, just like the previous years, the release of the nomination list also reveals a long list of biggest snubs.
He will have to compete against Leonardo DiCaprio, who won the Best Actor Golden Globe on Sunday for “The Revenant“, Matt Damon for “The Martian“, Michael Fassbender for “Steve Jobs“, and Bryan Cranston for “Trumbo“.
In addition to “The Revenant”, the nominees for best picture are “Spotlight”, “The Big Short”, “Mad Max: Fury Road”, “The Martian”, “Brooklyn”, “Bridge of Spies” and “Room”.
The film, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, emerged as the Oscar frontrunner when the Academy Awards nominations were announced on 14 January, picking up 12 nominations including best picture, best director, best actor for DiCaprio and best supporting actor for his co-star, Tom Hardy. There weren’t any major surprises in the Best Picture category, which can house anywhere between five and 10 nominees. “But this is not to take away from the greatness (of the films nominated)”.
The nominations program this morning immediately sent shockwaves reverberating throughout the country because even the critically-acclaimed movies and performances that featured African Americans were shunned.
20th Century Fox (FOXA.O) led the studios with a total of 30 nominations, including for “The Revenant”, “The Martian” and “Joy”, as well as its Fox Searchlight independent film arm’s “Brooklyn” and “Youth”.
Cate Blanchett may also be taking home an Oscar for her role in the period piece Carol. But it’s DiCaprio, who, after four previous nominations, finally seems destined to win his first Oscar.
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Many Twitter users voiced their opinions using the hashtag #Oscarssowhite, which originally debuted a year ago when Oscars host Neil Patrick Harris commented that they were honouring the “best and whitest” at the 2015 ceremony. So was everyone in “Straight Outta Compton”, which got a SAG nomination for best overall cast.
