“This industry is so far behind sports, it’s ridiculous”, Lee continued.
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Spike Lee told an audience of entertainment luminaries that it’s easier for a black person to become President of the United States than head of a Hollywood studio or network. In a year where the cry for diversity in Hollywood seems to have reached a fever pitch, the Academy began the night’s proceedings with president Cheryl Boone Isaacs announcing a new initiative, called A2020, a five-year plan to actively increase diversity in Hollywood and she asked for the leaders in the room – and all the studio heads were there – to help her. So we can talk ‘Yabba yabba yabba, ‘ but we need to have a serious conversation about diversity and get a few flavor up in this! “And all you people out there in the position of hiring, you better get smart because you’ll work for us”.
They were presented during the Academy’s seventh annual Governors Awards ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at the Hollywood & Highland Center. Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes and Samuel L. Jackson brought the filmmaker onstage for his Oscar. “Because your work force should reflect what this country looks like”, he said.
“President, keep it going”, he said.
Also awarded an honorary Oscar at the event was actress Gena Rowlands, whose rich film career includes 10 movies she made with her husband John Cassavetes.
He added that while Hollywood was moving to integrate African-Americans, women and other minorities, it still had a long way to go.
Gena Rowlands was also honored, with a few saying she should have won an Oscar years ago for her ground-breaking films, such as A Woman Under the Influence in 1974 and Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks. The details of Reynolds’ tireless efforts in both movies and humanitarian activities were spoken of, and her granddaughter accepted the award on her behalf and a video clip of a weak-looking Reynolds was shown accepting the award. “I know a wonderful place for him to sit, maybe on the piano and then everyone who comes to my house will have a chance to see him and admire him and love him the way I do”.
Other famous faces at the starry dinner included Johnny Depp and wife Amber Heard, Daniel Craig and wife Rachel Weisz, Will Smith, Ice Cube, Mark Ruffalo, Quentin Tarantino, Saoirse Ronan and Michael Caine.
The night is considered a must for actors and directors trying to snag Oscar nominations because it’s a chance to schmooze academy members.
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In fact, Blacnhett joked while urging everyone to smile for a group photo, “Say ‘Cheese, vote for me!'”
