The Oscars should be about movies not President Donald Trump, says British director
AN OSCAR-nominated British director has urged Hollywood stars to tone down their “political babble” amid fears tonight’s awards will become a volley of attacks on US President Donald Trump.
Academy Awards Best Picture nominees 2017
Scottish director David Mackenzie, whose bank robbery thriller Hell Or High Water has won four nominations, including best picture, said he expects speeches hammering the new president to dominate the event.
But he fears that “overkill” may diminish the criticisms.
At a pre-Academy Awards party in Los Angeles on Friday night for fellow UK contenders, he declared: “It’s interesting. I think there’s a lot of politicising going on at the moment.”
A Scottish directoris concerned that Trump talk might ruin the Oscars
Meryl Streep criticises Trump in Golden Globe speech
But he cautioned: “I hope the message doesn’t get diluted by too much babble, so I have mixed feelings.”
The 50-year-old filmmaker’s appeal yesterday drew behind-the-scenes support from television bosses at ABC, which is broadcasting the ceremony live from Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre.
Some are privately aghast that the show’s first-time host, comedian Jimmy Kimmel, has vowed: “My monologue is at least 50 per cent Donald Trump – and it’s certainly not all light commentary. It just so happens that this is what people are talking about.”
David Mackenzie warned that 'political babble' could take over the evening
A senior network production executive warned, however: “Viewers aren’t likely to respond well if every introduction and acceptance speech turns into an anti-Trump diatribe.
I hope the message doesn’t get diluted by too much babble
“Meryl Streep seems to have set the tone at last month’s Golden Globes, but there’s a real risk of overkill if everyone jumps on that bandwagon.”
Trump supporters, he added, could be “upset” and switch channels.
Back at the “Film is GREAT Britain” reception on Melrose Avenue in LA, few other attendees were echoing David Mackenzie’s words of caution.
Network representatives are worried that viewers may switch over if every speech is about Trump
English actor David Harewood, who starred in hit TV shows Homeland and The Night Manager, insisted: “Any attempt to bash Trump is good. It’s going to be a fun night.”
Singer Jessie J, who performed at the party, sponsored by British Airways, added that tonight’s Oscars will provide a “perfect” platform for political issues.
She went on: “Artists and performers and people in the limelight have to reflect the times.
“For people to be able to have freedom in their speeches is a perfect situation to talk about what people are avoiding talking about.”
Meryl Streep started the Trump-bashing trend in Hollywood with her speech at the Golden Globes
Earlier, United Talent Agency – which represents hundreds of celebrities worldwide, including Angelina Jolie and Brit stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Daniel Radcliffe – cancelled its pre-Oscar party and instead held an anti-Trump rally outside the company’s Beverly Hills headquarters.
There, Back To The Future star Michael J Fox launched a scathing attack on Trump’s controversial immigration executive orders, telling onlookers: “One’s dignity may be assaulted, it may be vandalised, it may be cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it’s surrendered.”
Other British stars who have descended on Los Angeles ahead of the glittering ceremony include Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery, TV presenter Cat Deeley and Serendipity star Kate Beckinsale.
La La Land could make history with nominations in 14 categories
Biggest hopes among those flying the flag for Britain tonight lie with Andrew Garfield, a best actor nominee for his performance in WW2 drama Hacksaw Ridge and Dev Patel, nominated in the best supporting actor category for Lion.
Blockbuster musical La La Land could well land in the history books tonight with nominations in 14 categories.
Betfair is offering odds of 4/7 that it will equal the record of 11 wins jointly held by Ben-Hur (1959), Titanic (1997), and The Lord Of The Rings: The Return of the King (2003) and odds of 5/4 that it will out-Oscar them all to set a new record.