The 2022 Oscars - A Disaster.

by Chloe Buxton.

As I woke up on the 28th March and watched the mayhem unfold, I wondered if I was still in the midst of a fever dream. Where to start? From Will Smith slapping Chris Rock, to a relatively unknown nomination winning Best Picture, to Dune (Denis Villeneuve, 2021) View on: IMDb. Lettrboxd Wikipedia. winning 6 craft categories in an unprecedented pre-live taping. This year’s Oscars was one for the history books.

Unfortunately, year after year the Oscars have managed to redirect the spotlight away from talented nominees and onto catastrophic mishaps. Remember the La La Land to Moonlight hand over? It seems the Academy fails to remember that the audience has seen enough theatrics in the films they’ve so carefully selected.

To recap the fateful event which has sadly come to define the night, Chris Rock was presenting an award when he made an ad libbed joke alluding to Jada Pinkett looking like G.I Jane. Will Smith quickly made his way onstage and slapped Rock across the face. 

As Pinkett’s hair loss is due to her ongoing struggle with alopecia, Smith's response has been viewed as an act in defence of his partner. After the altercation, Smith continued to shout from his seat “keep my wife’s name out your fucking mouth”. 

The internet proceeded to do what it does best and this embarrassing low point took social media by storm. Memes, remixes and contentious debate over the actors right to violence grabbed the world’s attention.

What happens when the Oscars are reduced to trivial confrontations of male ego? We lose sight of what the ceremony really stands for. Filmmakers receiving the most important nominations of their career become background noise. On the one night of the year dedicated to celebrating those names in small print as the credits roll, their achievements are yet again overlooked.

Hans Zimmer finally won Best Score for Dune, waiting longer than any other composer in history for a second Oscar. Ariana DeBose became the first openly queer acting winner ever and Jane Campion became the third woman in history to win the Best Director category. Yet these triumphant achievements were utterly overshadowed by the dramatic events of the evening. These instances are only the tip of the iceberg, but their lack of attention highlights how misguided the Oscars have become. Is this world-renowned ceremony becoming little more than an opportunity for explosive reality TV?

It’s one of the most prestigious ceremonies of the year, from the decorum demanded of the esteemed guests, to the films selected which stand as pieces of modern art. When such an event starts being encapsulated by a slap and rightful winners are tragically overlooked, it makes you wonder what space is left to truly celebrate skilled and meaningful work in cinema? 

Beyond Smith and Rock’s altercation, is the Oscars beginning to lose its shine? Many have slammed producers for not airing the craft categories live, claiming the pre-recorded tapings demote the awards to second, or third rate achievements. A sign language interpreter only being present for speeches related to CODA (Siân Heder, 2021) View on: IMDb. Lettrboxd Wikipedia. also led to serious complaints from viewers for its performative attempt at accessibility. DJ Khalid’s painfully awkward interruption onstage and several other cringey, tone deaf jokes later, we’re all wondering - is this still the Oscars?

The truth is, who really knows what that title means anymore. In my opinion the Oscars is in crisis. Incapable of perpetuating the idea that straight old white men win everything, they’ve tried their hardest to spice things up, but that’s a whole different ball game.

The new Oscars doesn’t feel like it’s embracing the equality and inclusion people want. Instead, it's trying to maintain the glamor of an old institution, built on racism, sexism and homophobia. As it tries to shake off its own history (and struggles to run away fast enough), the awkward transition is painful to watch. 

Though maybe this is all a step in the right direction? Maybe it’s only a matter of time before the Academy actually turns itself into a graceful, inclusive and uplifting space for filmmakers to be celebrated. Or maybe they continue to air cheap drama for views and make space for tactless comedians. Who knows? Either way I’ll be tuning in next year to plot its turbulent trajectory.

by Chloe Buxton, April 2022.