Share

‘It feels great’ DiCaprio says on Oscar nod

Oscar-nominated star Leonardo DiCaprio has admitted to being surprised by some of the reactions to his earlier movies. “What is important is that this entire conversation of diversity is here and that we are talking about it. And I think we will not just talk because people will say, ‘Well don’t just talk”.

Advertisement

Cheryl Boone Isaacs, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, admitted it was a disappointing situation.

Last Sunday, “The Revenant” took home Best Picture-Drama, Best Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio’s third Globe) and Alejandro Inarritu received Best Director. But Isaacs dismissed this notion, adding that the global component of the Academy was probably too small to significantly shift awards trends. “I loved the experience of making it so it’s ultimate cherry on the cake to be nominated”.

In front of and behind the camera, diversity remains a widely acknowledged problem for the movie industry, and few films starring and directed by minorities were seen as contenders.

The actor, who has also been nominated for his acting roles in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, The Aviator and Blood Diamond, said it is unlikely he would ever make a physically grueling film like The Revenant again. The most likely black-themed Oscar nominees – “Beasts of No Nation”, “Straight Outta Compton” and “Creed”, about an African war lord, the rap group N.W.A. and a young boxer, respectively – were nearly entirely male in subject and sensibility.

In the wake of the 2016 Oscar nominations, many are speaking out against the films and performances AMPAS has chose to reward this year.

Asked about the criticism on the lack of diversity, Inarritu said: “I agree, I think that there has to be there (on) the screen much more stories that represent all of us”. And Ridley Scott’s hit sci-fi epic “The Martian” landed seven nominations, including best picture and best actor for Matt Damon, but, surprisingly, no best director nod for Scott.

Fans of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” may complain that the serviceable but unremarkable reboot of the beloved franchise failed to make the best-picture list.

20th Century Fox 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”.

Amid the excitement from nominees, others in Hollywood were nursing their wounds.

“I really can’t believe it because it has been a very strong year”, she said of her nomination. Two big names were left out: Johnny Depp for “Black Mass” and Will Smith for “Concussion”.

Sylvester Stallone, enjoying a new wave of popularity, scored a supporting actor nod for reprising his career-defining role as boxer Rocky Balboa in “Creed”.

Many Twitter users voiced their opinions using the hashtag #Oscarssowhite, which originally debuted previous year when Oscars host Neil Patrick Harris commented that they were honouring the “best and whitest” at the 2015 ceremony.

Advertisement

However, the only gong it was revealed to be in line for was Original Screenplay.

US actor Leonardo Di Caprio arrives for the UK premiere of'The Revenant in London