This morning’s unveiling of the 2024 Oscar nominations has sparked discussions surrounding both anticipated recognitions and unexpected snubs. In a year marked by standout performances and groundbreaking achievements, the list provides a glimpse into the dynamics of the film industry.
Here’s a detailed exploration of the key surprises, notable snubs, and historic moments from this year’s nominations.
Greta Gerwig’s Directorial Snub
Despite the colossal success of Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig, which secured its place as the highest-grossing movie ever directed by a woman, Gerwig found herself absent from the nominations for best director. This surprising omission comes even as Barbie earned eight nominations, including the prestigious Best Picture category.
Of particular note is the inclusion of three female-directed Best Picture contenders—Barbie, Anatomy of a Fall, and Past Lives. Yet, only Justine Triet, secured a nomination in the Best Director category.
The rest of the nominations include Martin Scorsese, who at 81 made history by becoming the oldest directing nominee, Jonathan Glazer (The Zone of Interest), Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things), and Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer) in the Best Director category.
Fans took to social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), to share their thoughts on the surprising snubs. Some expressed suspicion about Greta Gerwig’s exclusion despite “Barbie” being a billion-dollar movie directed by a woman.
“Greta Gerwig being snubbed at the Oscars despite Barbie being the only $1 billion movie solely directed by a woman feels very sus to me”, another wrote, “Barbie being robbed for her own movie while Ken secures the nomination is insane.”
Another posted, “Greta Gerwig: Made a critically acclaimed, culturally profound, feminist movie about Barbie and the patriarchy that made a billion dollars at the box office. Oscar nomination goes to … Ken.”
REELated:
Margot Robbie Snubbed
Despite Barbie being nominated for Best Picture, Margot Robbie’s absence from the Best Actress category left fans shocked and running to her defense. While Gerwig did receive a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay, and Robbie secured a spot in the Best Picture lineup as a producer, she was left without a shot at Acting Gold, while Ryan Gosling was nominated for Best Supporting Actor.
Ongoing Oversight of Young Male Actors
The Oscars continue to display a tendency to overlook young male actors. All 10 actors nominated this year are over 40, omitting worthy contenders like Charles Melton (May December), Dominic Sessa (The Holdovers) and Barry Keoghan (Saltburn).
Academy voters continue to signal a discrepancy in the industry’s recognition of emerging male talent, unlike the acknowledgment given to young actresses.
Romantic Allure in Nominations
The announcement this morning seemed to carry a romantic aura with several couples receiving nominations. Couples like Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas, Justine Triet and Arthur Harari, Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik, and the Hesses, directors of the animated short Ninety-Five Senses, shared the honor.
Barbie contributed two more with Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, Margot Robbie and Tom Ackerley.
Leonardo DiCaprio Snubbed
Despite the overall success of Killers of the Flower Moon, which received ten nominations for picture, director, and acting categories, Leonardo DiCaprio was rewarded with no nomination. an unexpected snub. The acclaimed actor missed out on a nomination, emphasizing the unpredictability of the Oscars.
While co-stars Lily Gladstone and Robert De Niro received nominations, DiCaprio’s omission sparked reactions on social media. Fans emphasized DiCaprio’s noteworthy performance and expressed frustration at his repeated snubs.
One person posted, “Leonardo DiCaprio getting snubbed again for the millionth time is actually insane.”
Wes Anderson’s Inclusion, Almodóvar’s Omission
The dynamics of the short-film branch and their preferences were evident as Wes Anderson secured a nomination for best live-action short with The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. In contrast, Pedro Almodóvar faced yet another snub, reinforcing the challenges faced by well-known directors in this category.
Barbie Sings a Sad Song
A rule introduced in 2008 restricting films to two nominees in the original-song category resulted in a bittersweet outcome for Barbie. Despite three qualifying songs, only two, “I’m Just Ken” and “What Was I Made For?” made it to the final list. Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night” missed out, showcasing the nuances of Oscar regulations.
Godzilla’s Roar in Visual Effects
The visual-effects category witnessed the inclusion of the Japanese import Godzilla Minus One, challenging the typical dominance of mega-budget Hollywood productions. The success of this foreign-language film, with a rumored budget under $15 million, highlights the Oscars’ recognition of diverse cinematic achievements
As the film industry grapples with the aftermath of the Oscar nominations, the debates surrounding recognition, representation, and the evolving landscape of cinema continue to shape the narrative of one of the most prestigious events in the entertainment world.
The Oscars ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 10, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, with late-night star Jimmy Kimmel returning as host.
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