Sunday March 12, 2023 (pre-show) | VANCOUVER ISLAND, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Highlights from the show: Speech by Best Supporting Actor Ke Huy Quan: “This is the American dream!” and, always believe in your dream. | Musical performance of “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna. | Calm and professional hosting by comedian Jimmy Kimmel.
There’s been a lot of buzz about the colour of the carpet for the 2023 Academy Awards.
For the first time since 1961, the carpet will not be red! That certainly takes the edge off the meaning of ‘walk the red carpet’.
The beige colour this year is reportedly to represent the sand of the California west coast beaches. Drapes and other colouring are apparently intended to elicit a feeling of west coast sunset. Overall, it could generate a feeling of calm.
Those who walk the carpet may also find that the colour tones of what they’re wearing might look better or stand out more against a neutral colour than a bright red.
Political statement:
There could be a deeper meaning and impact… one of equality and egalitarianism. The royal aspect of a red carpet produces a sense of elevating oneself above others. But everyone can walk on a beach, with nature being the great equalizer.
Diversity in the types of films, race and ethnicity of actors and directors, and overall inclusion of everyone in the film world has been a fast-acting trend in the past few years in the entertainment industry.
The beach theme could also be tied to respect for the well-being of the planet and the whole issue of climate change.
Technological options & diversity:
Viewing of the Oscars tonight (starting 5 pm PDT) on any ABC channel is available to people with cable/satellite TV. Streaming is available on services like Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV and FuboTV. | How to Watch the Oscars
“Celebrating the 95th Oscars this Sunday is now more accessible for blind and low vision audiences through the AD (audio description) provided by Described Video,” as The Academy said on Twitter today.
The show will be broadcast in more than 200 countries/territories worldwide, says The Academy.
Entertainment journalism:
It will be refreshing if journalists at Oscars 2023 do their industry proud tonight!
Preparing questions with depth will be appreciated by viewers. Asking actors ‘how do you feel’ really doesn’t generate much more than people would already guess.
Back in 2015 the hashtag #AskHerMore became popular regarding wardrobe questions like “Who are you wearing?” were asked of female actresses, when the moment with millions of eyes on it could highlight so many other important things.
Dakota Johnson was not asked about the box-office success of Shades of Grey. Felicity Jones was asked “Did you sleep last night” instead of what it felt like to play the real-life wife of Stephen Hawking. Marion Cotillard in Two Days, One Night, was asked ‘Did you ever think you were going to be an American actress?’
Oscar Nominees:
The contenders for Best Picture in 2023 are: All Quiet on the Western Front, Avatar: The Way of Water, The Banshees of Inisherin, Elvis, Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Fabelmans, Tár, Top Gun: Maverick, Triangle of Sadness, Women Talking.
Best actor
- Brendan Fraser, “The Whale”
- Colin Farrell, “The Banshees of Inisherin”
- Austin Butler, “Elvis”
- Bill Nighy, “Living”
- Paul Mescal, “Aftersun”
Best actress
- Ana de Armas, “Blonde”
- Cate Blanchett, “Tár”
- Andrea Riseborough, “To Leslie”
- Michelle Williams, “The Fabelmans”
- Michelle Yeoh, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
Best director
- Martin McDonagh, “The Banshees of Inisherin”
- Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
- Steven Spielberg, “The Fabelmans”
- Todd Field, “Tár”
- Ruben Ostlund, “Triangle of Sadness”
===== ABOUT ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS:
Island Social Trends is a professional news service that covers news of the west shore of Greater Victoria on south Vancouver Island, as well as BC-wide and national issues. Editor and publisher: Mary P Brooke.
Island Social Trends launched entirely online at islandsocialtrends.ca in mid-2020, in the footstep of its predecessor publications MapleLine Magazine (2008-2010), Sooke Voice News (2011-2013) and West Shore Voice News (2014-2020).