Oscar Nominees Luncheon Takes Place in the Shadow of COVID, Ukraine and Those Oscar Changes
thewrap.comthis is the year.”But between COVID and Ukraine and a recent plan to change the Oscar show, this was also a year to question celebration, and there was some of that going on as the nominees gathered.
The specter of the pandemic hung over the event, both in the fact that everyone was required to not only show proof of vaccination but also to have tested negative in a PCR test either Saturday or Sunday. “The Power of the Dog” director Jane Campion was one of those who couldn’t meet that requirement: Although she has no symptoms, she’s tested positive and is currently isolating and hoping for a negative test before this weekend’s Directors Guild Awards.
The war in Ukraine, meanwhile, was mentioned by Academy President David Rubin at the beginning of his own opening remarks, when he said that the Academy stood behind the people of that country.As for the unpopular plan to hand out eight categories in the hour before the Oscars telecast begins, and then shorten them and edit them into the show, both Rubin and Packer conspicuously avoided mentioning that in their remarks.
But it was still a topic of conversation at tables around the ballroom, with most nominees coming down soundly on the side of giving all 23 categories a full live presentation.“I’ve tried to speak out against it, and I’ve also talked to the Academy in person about it,” director Guillermo del Toro said. “I don’t think I’m having any effect, but those categories are the reason for the Oscars to exist.”“It’s very odd,” added “Belfast” supporting actor nominee Ciaran Hinds.
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