No matter how commercial, glittery or fake the Oscar’s are, I still love ’em. Guessing who will win or who I want to win, is half the fun, even if I haven’t seen half the movies, actors or screenwriters that are up for awards.
It is ironic, since film, like books, are so different, one from the other, that the idea of comparing one to another is actually quite ridiculous. It’s always nice to have support and praise from your peers, but in many ways it is like comparing apples and oranges to guava, bananas and nectarines. Unlike books, film making is a totally collaborate and team effort.
To say a movie is “A film by….” is quite erroneous, since it usually takes hundreds, if not thousands of people to complete a story for the screen. Writers, producers, directors, editors, actors, drivers, camera operators, cinematographers, lights, sound and more and more and more.
There is also the fact that there are so many more important matters, events and concerns taking place around the world and awards shows pale in comparison to their importance. I’m not ignoring this reality by watching the Academy Awards, just taking a few minutes off. Movies also have the power to inspire, enlighten and transform the way people think and see the world, so I hope some of that is conveyed during the show.
So, in spite of these realities, I still like to watch every minute of the Academy Awards and have for years. Perhaps it is the small independent film or an unknown screenwriter, actor or director that has been working for years who has the chance to finally be recognized and appreciated. Maybe, it’s the appreciation I have for the amazing creativity and cooperation that is required to make a good film. Then there’s my fantasy to one day see my name mentioned, as “a film, based on the book by Gabriel Constans“. Whatever the reason, I know exactly where I (and most of our family and friends) will be at 6:00 pm this coming Sunday.