It may have been lost in the monsoon of daily news that hits you over the head on social media, but Cheryl Boone Isaacs, the President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, gave a speech at the 2017 Oscar Luncheon and it was somewhat remarkable. It’s not very long and you need to watch it. In fact, it’s more newsworthy than the yearly “class photo” that is typically the high point of every luncheon.
The Academy prides itself on being a partisan, non-political entity, but that has been tested over the years. The last big incursion from a socio-political standpoint was the #OscarsSoWhite controversy last year. Isaacs was under the spotlight trying to move the Academy forward quicker than it wanted and most of her public remarks came in official statements or notes on changes at the Governors Awards in November. And it’s worth noting that with a record number of nominees who are people of color 12 months later Isaacs included a “Wow, what a difference a year makes” in her remarks. That isn’t why you need to watch her speech, however.
With a number of nominees or participants in nominated films either unable to attend or boycotting including former winner and Academy member Asghar Farhadi because of Trump’s muslim ban (he’s even back to calling it that) Isaacs broached the subject head on in her speech.
“You are part of an almost century old community which is not just a Hollywood community or an American community, but a global one. Filled with storytellers domestic and international. One that is becoming more inclusive and diverse every passing day. I’m so proud of that and to see all the new faces among this year’s nominees”
“When our storytellers tackle issues of importance from religious intolerance to racism to sexism, when we bring to the screen stories from around the world we become agents of change. And when we speak out among those who try and put up barriers we reinforce this important truth: that all artists around the world are connected by a powerful bond. One that speaks to our creativity and common humanity. Today we celebrate you. Your work and your achievements, but everyone knows there are some empty chairs in this room which has made Academy artists, activists. There is a struggle globally today over artistic freedom that feels more urgent than at anytime since the 1950s. Art has no borders. Art has no language and doesn’t belong to a single faith. No, the power of art is that it transcends all these things. And strong societies don’t censor art. They celebrate it.”
“America should always be not a barrier but a beacon. We stand up in support of artists around the world. We stand up to those who would try to limit our freedom of expression. And we stand up for this fundamental principal, that all creative artist are connected around the world by that one unbreakable bond that is more powerful and permanent than nationality and politics and just as their work does no stop at borders, borders will not be able to stop any of us.”
You can watch the entire speech which eventually transitions to some general Academy housekeeping below.
If anyone thinks the Academy is discouraging presenters or winners for speaking their mind on Oscar Sunday they should realize Isaac just gave them an enthusiastic green light to do exactly that.
The 89th Academy Awards will be held Sunday, February 26 on ABC at 5 PM PT/8 PM ET and its what to that worldwide audience may be more historic than who wins the actual Oscars themselves.