Have the Oscars Become the Olympics of Cinema?
variety.comTim Gray Senior Vice PresidentIn April 2019, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences board of governors decided to change the name of the foreign-language-film category, saying it was “outdated within the global film community.” So they renamed it “international film.” It’s better, but still not precise: All films are international, whether they’re in English or not.
This year’s Academy Awards race provides many reminders of that fact.Several 2021 Oscar contenders seem like all-American films, such as “West Side Story,” though the cinematographer is Janusz Kaminski, from Poland; “Nightmare Alley” boasts DP Dan Laustsen (Denmark), editor Cam McLauchlin and production designer Tamara Deverell (both Canada), not to mention director Guillermo del Toro (Mexico) and stars Cate Blanchett and Toni Collette (both from Australia). “CODA,” the great funny/poignant comedy about a U.S.
family, includes producer Philippe Rousselet (France) and DP Paula Huidobro (Mexico City), in addition to stars Emilia Jones (the U.K.) and Eugenio Derbez (Mexico).There’s not enough space to list all the non-U.S.-born workers in the 2021 films.Some attribute Oscar’s global outlook to the Academy’s expanded membership in the past few years, including more voters who live outside the U.S.
Actually, the reasons are more subtle and more extensive.The factors include: • Non-U.S. festivals are creating momentum for international films and talent in the awards season.
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