Why are the Oscars no longer credible in the modern world?
The Academy Awards also know as Oscars are the most respected award in film world. Oscars though very respected is also surrounded by controversy and biasness. In below article we will address Why are the Oscars no longer credible in the modern world?
Lack of Diversity
The lack of diversity among nominations and winners is one of the most visible problems with the Oscars. Critics have claimed that the Oscars prioritise films created by and starring white men, with little representation for women, persons of colour, and other oppressed groups.
The Oscars were criticized for their lack of diversity in 2015 and 2016. #OscarsSoWhite was trending on various social media there were also boycott demands. It led to Oscars changing their membership criteria and voting system to be more inclusive.
Nonetheless, the topic of diversity at the Oscars remains divisive. Only one person of colour was nominated in the four acting categories in 2020, and the dearth of representation for women and other underrepresented groups remains an issue.
Lobbying and campaigning
Another point of contention with the Oscars is the role of campaigning and lobbying in the selection process. Money is spent like water for attracting voter for their particular nomination which eventually increases their chance of winning.
This has led to charges that the Oscars aren’t always given based on merit, but rather on whatever films have the strongest marketing and public relations efforts. Several critics have asked for stronger marketing and lobbying procedures to guarantee that the Oscars are awarded on the basis of artistic merit.
Commercialization
The Academy Awards have also been chastised for being overly commercialized. The ceremony is now a huge media event seen by millions of people worldwide, and marketers spend millions of dollars to show ads throughout the broadcast.
Some critics claim that the emphasis on ratings and economic success has led to a move away from the Oscars’ original objective of recognizing aesthetic brilliance in cinema. This has led to people believe that winning an Oscars is not actually stamp of actual quality work
Politics and Controversy
Lastly, the Oscars have long been a source of contention and political discussion. Depending on the political atmosphere, the event has been condemned for being either too liberal or too conservative.
For example, the Oscars were chastised in 2017 for choosing “Moonlight” over the strongly favored “La La Land” for Best Picture. Others suggested that the choice was politically driven, citing “Moonlight” as a more socially conscious and politically important picture. Recent Will Smith slap to Chris rock was another incident that brought shame to Academy Awards.
Similarly, depending on the year, the Oscars have been chastised for being either too political or not political enough. The event has evolved into a venue for political speeches and pronouncements, with several winners addressing social and political concerns in their acceptance speeches.
Oscars are still most awaited award in film industry but it has its many issues which question their credulity. Critics have expressed concerns about the lack of diversity among candidates and winners, the role of marketing and lobbying in the awards process, the ceremony’s commercialization, and the politics and controversy that frequently accompany the Oscars. As the film business evolves, it will be interesting to observe how the Oscars respond to these challenges and critiques.