Spike Lee doesn’t think too highly of the Oscars, and this year’s crop of nominees isn’t to his liking so it is implied.
CTV gives us the latest blurb from the talented filmmaker:
[Lee] was in Toronto on Tuesday to discuss his films and the music that defines them.
But before addressing an audience of hundreds of enthusiastic fans, he told reporters that this year’s crop of Academy Award picks is looking pretty homogenous.
“It’s probably actually gotten worse as far as African-Americans in the film world,” Lee said as he walked a red carpet in front of the downtown movie theatre where his talk was held. “The nominations came out today, I didn’t recognize any African-Americans…. We haven’t had opportunities to be in the films this past year.”
I read the full story, sat back in my chair. Thought about it. First, the Academy and their respected branches can nominate whoever they want to. Sometimes we agree with them, sometimes not. If Lee is right and there haven’t been that many good films for African-Americans- be it actor or filmmaker- then why the complaint about the nominations to begin with?
Second, the soundbite (and the “vanilla” quote that followed) takes away from what Spike was doing in Toronto in the first place (music in movies) and makes it looks like he has a problem with the majority of nominees, which I don’t think is the case. I do think his views are do in part to the snub he got in the late 80s and early 90s- it isn’t so much about winning but more about being recognized by one’s film peers. I also took note that Lee himself did not have a picture in 2010, and this off the cuff remark puts him back into that negative, sour grapes spotlight that some like to put him under.
It’s no big secret Lee frowns on the Oscars- but what do you think?
