The nominations for this year's Oscars have finally arrived and it's very much what we thought it would look like. Four years on from the #OscarsSoWhite controversy of the 87th Academy Awards, we examine just how much has changed since the world stood up against the industry's lack of diversity.

Chadwick Boseman in Black Panther

Chadwick Boseman in Black Panther

This year probably sees more black stories than ever before with four important films standing out with multiple nods. Black Panther is nominated in seven categories including Best Picture and Original Song (for All The Stars by Kendrick Lamar and SZA) after becoming one of the most culturally significant films ever to come out of Disney.

Meanwhile, crime comedy BlacKkKlansman has six nods including Best Picture and Director, Green Book has five including Best Picture and Original Screenplay, while If Beale Street Could Talk has three including Adapted Screenplay and Original Score. These are all films dealing with important black issues from racism within the police force to segregation.

Adam Driver and John David Washington in BlacKkKlansman / Photo Credit: Universal Pictures
Adam Driver and John David Washington in BlacKkKlansman / Photo Credit: Universal Pictures

Plus, two documentaries have stood out for their depiction of racial issues: Hale County This Morning, This Evening is up for Best Documentary Feature for its exploration of a black community in Alabama, while Black Sheep, about a young black boy who befriends a racist gang, is among Best Documentary Short Subjects.

While on the subject of race, one can't forget Roma either; Alfonso Cuarón's semi-autobiographical portrayal of life growing up in Mexico City. It's up for six awards including Best Picture, Director and Original Screenplay, and comes at an appropriate time given the social division caused by Donald Trump's proposition to build a wall separating Mexico from the United States.

Roma / Photo Credit: Carlos Somonte/Netflix
Roma / Photo Credit: Carlos Somonte/Netflix

In terms of individuals, things are still looking disappointingly white. Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther), John David Washington (BlacKkKlansman) and Stephan James (If Beale Street Could Talk) missed out on Lead Actor nominations to Christian Bale (Vice), Bradley Cooper (A Star is Born) and Willem Dafoe (At Eternity's Gate) with Bohemian Rhapsody's Rami Malek being the only non-white actor to be nominated in the category.

Roma star Yalitza Aparicio is also the only non-white woman to be among the Lead Actress nominations. Supporting Actor/Actress categories look a little better with Mahershala Ali for Green Book, Marina de Tavira for Roma and Regina King for If Beale Street Could Talk. But that still only makes two black actors out of twenty to be nominated altogether.

It could be argued that this is more down to an avoidance of tokenism, but with nearly half of the Best Picture nominations being do to with, or aiding in, black visibility, it is indeed surprising that the actors themselves are getting little recognition for their part in it.

Still, it is thoroughly uplifting to see so many black stories being recognised among the biggest entertainment awards in the world, and we can only wish for a future that brings yet more ethnic diversity to the film industry.


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk


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