The Oscars global stage is always good for bold statements and some chose to convey their messages by what they wore. Natalie Portman continued her side eye to Hollywood for not recognizing female directors by wearing them on her dress...
She embroidered the names of some snubbed female directors into the cape of her Dior dress. According to reports online these were the names: Lorene Scafaria (Hustlers), Greta Gerwig (Little Women), Mati Diop (Atlantics), Marielle Heller (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood), Melina Matsoukas (Queen & Slim), Alma Har’el (Honey Boy), Céline Sciamma (Portrait of a Lady on Fire) and Lulu Wang (The Farewell).
Another embroiderment came from Documentary filmmaker Waad al-Kateab. The For Sama nominee covered the skirt of her dress with an Arabic poem. The poem was a homage to perseverance, just like her film about living under war shelling in Aleppo was. It translates into English as: “we dared to dream and we will not regret dignity.” And notice the titular Sama, the baby the film is dedicated to, all grown up and attending the Oscars.
Of course when you make a bold statement you risk criticism. Hannah Beachler,the Dark Waters production designer who won an Oscar last year for Black Panther, chided Portman for not working with enough female filmmakers.
In a nearly 30 year career she has worked with 2 female directors. Be the change you want to see, do the hard work, take the first steps. I applaud you for the dress, but let’s do, not perform. https://t.co/HoW6o4BUOm
— Hannah Beachler (@chinchilla1970) February 10, 2020
Perhaps that is unfair because Portman has tried to bring Patty Jenkins into Thor and Lynne Ramsay into Jane’s Got a Gun. She was unsuccessful both times, though the reasons behind that are well documented in the press. And just like any statement she has to follow it up with action to be effective. So let’s give her the benefit of time and see what happens.