Features, Films, News, Women Directors

Oscar 2017 Nominations: #OscarsSoWhite Gets a Slight Makeover

“Hidden Figures”

The 2017 Oscar nominations are in, and the more inclusive group of actors and films to receive nods suggests that the Academy’s decision to invite a diverse new class of members was, as expected, an important, effective step towards making Hollywood’s most prestigious awards less overwhelmingly white. Still, there’s a long, long way to go. And (a lack of) racial diversity wasn’t — and isn’t — the Academy’s only problem, though it remains a major one. And keep in mind that #OscarSoWhite is not just about actors, and not just about black actors. It’s about diversity all across the awards and the industry.

It’s 2017 and only four women directors have ever received nods for Best Director (and all of them have been white). This coming Oscars will be the 89th edition of the fest, and still, women who work behind the scenes are struggling to have their work recognized. A female cinematographer has never received a nomination. And none of the nine Best Picture nominees are directed by women.

“Selma” director Ava DuVernay scored a nod for Best Documentary for “13th,” which traces the connection between mass incarceration and slavery in the U.S. “13th” is the only woman-helmed title in its category.

Cannes sensation “Toni Erdmann,” written and directed by Maren Ade, received a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. The dark comedy focuses on the relationship between Winifried (Peter Simonichek) and Ines (Sandra Hüller), a father and daughter who struggle to relate to one another. Ade is the only woman director whose work is recognized in this category.

The acting nominees are much more inclusive than last year, when 100 percent of those who received nods were white. Of the 20 acting nominees this year, seven are people of color, amounting to 35 percent of the nominees. Ruth Negga (“Loving”) is the only woman of color in the Best Actress race, but the Best Supporting Actress nods includes favorite Viola Davis (“Fences”), Naomie Harris (“Moonlight”), and Octavia Spencer (“Hidden Figures”).

“The African American Film Critics Association is totally thrilled with the record-breaking number of nominations earned this year by actors and other creative artists of color,” AAFCA President Gil Robertson IV commented. “AAFCA applauds the Academy’s efforts and we hope that their progress continues to reflect America’s rich diversity.”

We couldn’t be happier about the love “Hidden Figures” was shown by Academy members. The inspiring crowd-pleaser tells the story of Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), brilliant African-American women who played an instrumental role in the space race at NASA. The drama was recognized in two categories besides Best Supporting Actress: Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. Allison Schroeder co-wrote the script. She’s the only woman nominated in her category, and no female screenwriters received nods for Best Original Screenplay. (Unfortunately, Henson isn’t among the nominees for Best Actress.)

All of the nominees in the Costume Design category are women, and they include Mary Zophres (“La La Land”) and Madeline Fontaine (“Jackie”).

A few of the nominees made history. Joi McMillon (“Moonlight”) is the first black woman to be nominated for Best Film Editing. She shares the nomination with Nat Sanders. Viola Davis (“Fences”) is the first black actress to receive three Oscar nominations. And DuVernay (“13th”) is the first black woman to receive a nomination for Best Documentary, according to Variety.

“Arrival” scored eight nominations — including Best Picture — but the sci-fi movie’s heart and soul, Amy Adams, didn’t land a nod for Best Actress. We would’ve loved to see her recognized for her portrayal of linguist Dr. Louise Banks.

The Academy Awards will take place on February 26. Check out all of the women nominees below. List adapted from The Hollywood Reporter.

BEST ACTRESS
Isabelle Huppert, Elle
Ruth Negga, Loving
Natalie Portman, Jackie
Emma Stone, La La Land
Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Viola Davis, Fences
Naomie Harris, Moonlight
Nicole Kidman, Lion
Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures
Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Hidden Figures (Allison Schroeder, Theodore Melfi)

BEST FILM EDITING
Moonlight (Joi McMillon, Nat Sanders)

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Arrival (Production design: Patrice Vermette; Set decoration: Paul Hotte)
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
(Production design: Stuart Craig; Set decoration: Anna Pinnock)
Hail, Caesar!
(Production design: Jess Gonchor; Set decoration: Nancy Haigh)
La La Land
(Production design: David Wasco; Set decoration: Sandy Reynolds-Wasco)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Allied (Joanna Johnston)
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Colleen Atwood)
Florence Foster Jenkins (Consolata Boyle)
Jackie (Madeline Fontaine)
La La Land (Mary Zophres)

BEST MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING
A Man Called Ove (Eva von Bahr and Love Larson)

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Jackie (Mica Levi)

BEST SOUND EDITING
Deepwater Horizon (Wylie Stateman and Renée Tondelli)
La La Land (Ai-Ling Lee and Mildred Iatrou Morgan)

BEST SOUND MIXING
La La Land (Andy Nelson, Ai-Ling Lee and Steve A. Morrow)

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
13th — Directed by Ava DuVernay

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Toni Erdmann — Directed by Maren Ade

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
4.1 Miles — 
Directed by Daphne Matziaraki
Joe’s Violin — 
Directed by Kahane Cooperman


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