On March 4, Hollywood hosts the 90th Academy Awards. That’s a milestone and ordinarily a time when the Academy brings out its biggest victors. Think two-time Oscar winners Dustin Hoffman and Kevin Spacey or three-time Oscar winner Oliver Stone.
Or not.
Thanks to the #MeToo movement, having accused gropers giving out Oscars (con hugs and kisses) doesn’t make for great optics. But what are the show’s producers to do when allegations of sexual harassment shadow last year’s Best Actor winner Casey Affleck?
Per tradition, Affleck is supposed to present the Best Actress award. But perhaps he should give out the Best Actor instead. And, to make it all seem less awkward, last year’s Best Actress winner Emma Stone can present in her same category, with last year’s Supporting winners Mahershala Ali and Viola Davis following suit.
That’s not to suggest the Academy ought to cover for the accused. Rather it should highlight the actresses who have spoken out against Harvey Weinstein. While talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel is already slated to MC the March 4 ceremony, ABC producers can book the following Weinstein survivors as Oscar presenters.
Start with Connie Nielsen of Best Picture winner “Gladiator” and box office hit “Wonder Woman” to give out Costume Design, followed by actress/model Angie Everhart presenting Makeup and Hairstyling.
Sean Young of the original “Blade Runner” makes an ideal presenter for Visual Effects, while the always stunning Eva Green is a natural to hand out Production Design, as is Oscar winner Mira Sorvino for Cinematography.
Since Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o is set to star in Disney’s animated feature “The Jungle Book”, she ought to present Animated Feature, while three short films (Animated, Live Action and Documentary) can be presented in tandem by Claire Forlani, Lauren Holly and Annabella Sciorra, respectively.
Having British actresses Kate Beckinsale and Romola Garai present Sound Editing and Sound Mixing is a sound decision since the English epic “Dunkirk” is likely to win in these categories. And who better to give out Original Score and Original Song than American singing actresses Rose McGowan and Gwyneth Paltrow?
Because Uma Thurman has yet to tell her Weinstein story, the Editing category is a good fit for her just as Documentary Feature befits actress and environmental activist Daryl Hannah.
Adapted Screenplay should be presented by Italian actress/filmmaker Asia Argento, whose digital feature “Scarlet Diva” contains her Weinstein-inspired scene that helped corroborate his victims’ accounts. Original Screenplay can be presented by actress Heather Graham, who wrote and directed “Half Magic,” a female empowerment rom-com set for release in 2018.
It’s a no-brainer that Oscar-winning actress and accomplished filmmaker Angelina Jolie, who wrote and directed “First They Killed My Father” in 2017, should announce the year’s Best Director.
Actress/producer and international star Salma Hayek is a must presenter for Foreign Language Film, just as actress/producer/director and political activist Ashley Judd is the one to complete the evening by naming Best Picture of the #MeToo year.
