by Murtada
The question on a lot of people’s minds after the SAG Awards is how political are the Oscars going to be. If there was any doubt in anyone’s mind, Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs put that to rest. Addressing those gathered for the traditional luncheon, she alluded to the banned Muslim nominees, Asghar Farhadi and others, by pointing to the empty chairs:
Today we celebrate you. Your work and your achievements, but everyone knows there are some empty chairs in this room which has made Academy artists, activists. There is a struggle globally today over artistic freedom that feels more urgent than at anytime since the 1950s. Art has no borders. Art has no language and doesn’t belong to a single faith. No, the power of art is that it transcends all these things. And strong societies don’t censor art. They celebrate it.
By calling the nominees “activists”, Boone Isaacs is sanctioning political speeches at the ceremony which could make for an interesting show. Still the mood was not somber at the luncheon, and many nominees took the time to socialize. Isabelle Huppert and Michelle Williams caught up at the cocktail hour. Others did that while taking their places for the annual class photo. More favorite moments after the jump.
How many times did they move Ruth Negga around? First she was seen talking to Williams, then taking a spot at the top of the dais. However she ended up on a seat next to Justin Timberlake at the front for the class photo.
It takes a long time for more than 150 nominees to find their places on the dais, and it shows. Emma Stone and Natalie Portman are clearly bored while Matt Damon is trying on a serene face. Maybe move over Matt, and let the best actress contenders gab while they wait.
Octavia Spencer continues to be the most beloved person in any room she's in. Even Casey Affleck shows warmth we haven't seen from him this season.
In a sea of men in blue and grey, Viola Davis pops. As if she can ever be hidden. We are so excited it looks like she's definately winning the Oscar. She is Fences' only nomination at this weekend's BAFTA, however. Is there a chance for someone else from a more popular film, Naomie Harris or I, Daniel Blake's Hayley Squires, to sneak in for the win there?
The internet is head over heels in love with the awards season friendship between Dev Patel and Mahershala Ali. They clearly enjoyed each other at the luncheon.
Then there was this moment, at a campaign event in Santa Barbara the night before. Ali was urging people to check out Lion, and Patel couldn't but thank him with a hug to the "awwwws" of all of us.
What were some of your favorite moments from the luncheon? We accept pics and gifs.