In 2006, the South African film “Tsotsi” was an exception: it won the Oscar for best foreign film. As a general rule, the statuette, awarded since 1948, goes to a European country. In nearly 75 years, only three African countries have won in this category. Asian and Latin American films, as well as African films, hardly take part in the event.
Among the three winning African films, “Z” and “Black and White in Color” are French co-productions, which have benefited from the strong influence of French cinema in Hollywood. “Totsi” was the first non-French-speaking film to win an Oscar.
Steve Ayorinde, a famous Nigerian film critic who has participated as a jury in international film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin and Toronto, recalls that “we must not forget that out of a dozen internationally renowned South African films , five or six are from white South Africans”. This is also the case of “Tsotsi”, whose director is Gavin Hood.
The cinema expert believes that the lobby is a very relevant factor. “African films are always on the sidelines of major film festivals. So who can promote them? Without the cooperation, support and investment of a major European or American institution or production company, it is difficult to market a film of this type internationally. “, remember.
American or European filmmakers have it easier. It is therefore not surprising that 78% of the films awarded in the category “Best foreign language film” are European. France and Italy represent more than half of the statuettes and are also very influential in Hollywood, while the other continents go unnoticed.
The “Best Foreign Language Film” statuette has only been awarded three times to Africa
Bollywood also struggles in Hollywood
Half of the award-winning films in Asia are Japanese productions. Bollywood and his great industry never won a single statuette.
Namrata Joshi, an author and film critic who has served on juries at international film festivals such as Toronto, Moscow and Cluj, believes that “Indian filmmakers lack the financial means to market their films. The Oscars are a marketing ploy”.
Additionally, Joshi believes that the content of Indian films is often a problem for such a global audience, due to the amount of music, dance and melodrama. Steve Ayorinde says several factors are holding back Oscar nominations for African films.
It is difficult without funding from Western institutions or technical and international cooperation, but language also plays a decisive role. “The advantage of European films is that languages like German, French, Spanish or Italian are international. So the people in charge of evaluating the films already know the language”, explains the critic Nigerian.
In Nigeria, for example, about 2,500 films are produced per year, which have never been successful at the Oscars. THE netflix improved the quality of films, but it does not increase their chances of being nominated for an Oscar, as a condition of Hollywood is that nominated films must be shown in theaters.
Equal opportunities?
Joshi and Ayorinde believe that the Hollywood Academy has been trying for a few years to take a step towards diversity, but it’s something that can’t happen overnight.
Namrata Joshi says that “it takes a certain curiosity [por parte do júri] and a desire to understand films from around the world. He also considers that the participation of people from India on the jury of the Academy would be an important first step.
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Cinema: the most “afro” Oscars of all time
“Green Book”: Best Picture
The biggest surprise of Oscar night was when ‘Green Book’ won Best Picture of the Year, especially for director Peter Farrelly, who told Hollywood “Honestly, I didn’t expect to win”. “Green Book” was the most awarded film of the 2019 edition, which was marked by films with African-American themes, actors and directors. A sign that Hollywood is betting on ethnic diversity.
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Cinema: the most “afro” Oscars of all time
Mahershala Ali: Best Supporting Actor
Actor Mahershala Ali was recognized as Best Supporting Actor for his performance in ‘Green Book’ where he plays the role of African American musician ‘Doc’ Don Shirley. The film is based on real events and depicts how, in 1962, the pianist suffered racism while touring the southern United States. It was Mahershala Ali’s second Oscar (after “Moonlight” in 2017).
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Cinema: the most “afro” Oscars of all time
“Green Book”: Best Original Screenplay
The film depicts the unexpected friendship between the musician and Italian-American Tony Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen), who worked for Don Shirley as a driver and security guard. During his career, the pianist suffered insults and racist insults. Even in places where he is applauded, he must observe the racial segregation imposed by his guests, who even prevent him from using the toilets.
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Cinema: the most “afro” Oscars of all time
“BlacKkKlansman”: Best Adapted Screenplay
“BlacKkKlansman” is another award-winning film based on a true story about racism in the United States. In 1978, Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), a black policeman from Colorado, manages to infiltrate the racist Ku Klux Klan organization. He communicated with the other band members through phone calls and letters. And when he needed to be physically present, he sent another white policeman in his place.
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Cinema: the most “afro” Oscars of all time
First Oscar for Spike Lee
For the director of “BlacKkKlansman”, the African American Spike Lee, it was the first Oscar. Lee pointed out that “if it hadn’t been for” the #OscarsSoWhite movement for more diversity at the Oscars-hosting Academy, which began four years ago, he wouldn’t have received a statuette . “They opened up the Academy to make it more American, more diverse,” the filmmaker said.
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Cinema: the most “afro” Oscars of all time
“Black Panther”: Best Art Direction
Hannah Beachler was the first African-American to win the Oscar for best art direction (scenography), with the film “Black Panther”, with Jay Hart. The winner, who gave an emotional speech at the Oscar acceptance, said, “Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do this job,” Beachler told Hollywood.
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Cinema: the most “afro” Oscars of all time
“Black Panther”: Best Wardrobe
The fiction film won two other statuettes: best soundtrack and best wardrobe. The final category was awarded to Ruth E. Carter, the first African American to win this category. “I dreamed and prayed to live this night,” said Carter, who designed the futuristic outfit for the film, which is set in Africa. In previous years, she already had two nominations with “Amistad” and “Malcolm X”.
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Cinema: the most “afro” Oscars of all time
Rami Malek never thought he ‘had a chance’
Rami Malek won the Best Actor Oscar for his brilliant portrayal of Queen musician Freddy Mercury in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. He hailed the new diversity and said his win shows everyone has “a chance”. The Egyptian-born actor recalled that growing up, there were no protagonists similar to him on screen and therefore it was impossible for him to have a leading role.
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Cinema: the most “afro” Oscars of all time
Lady Gaga praises new diversity
Singer Lady Gaga, winner for the film “A Star is Born” in the category Best Original Song (“Shallow”), has also opened up about diversity and inclusion in behind-the-scenes interviews in Hollywood. He hopes that in the future, “these awards ceremonies are not just male and female, but inclusive of everyone.”
Author: Johannes Beck, Lusa
