Learning from those who’d lived the story was also key for Judas and the Black Messiah director-producer Shaka King, whose powerful film is nominated for Best Picture. He sought out Fred Hampton Jr., the son of the film’s main subject, Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton. He and the other producers sat down with Hampton Jr. and […]
Oscar 2021: Sound of Metal–Deaf Subculture On Screen
April 18, 2021 by
The filmmakers behind Sound of Metal, which centers on a drummer who is losing his hearing, didn’t know much about the deaf community. “We assumed we didn’t know anything, as we did not, and I think that’s the best approach — you have to let them tell you, and then, based on your story, you make […]
Oscar 2021: Nomadland–Community Seldom Seen On Screen Before
April 18, 2021 by
In the original feature Nomadland, brilliantly directed by Chloe Zhao, Fern (Frances McDormand, Oscar frontrunner) attends the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous, an annual gathering of nomads in Quartzsite, Arizona, led by Bob Wells. The scene was shot just a week before the real-life RTR, with more than 50 nomads, including Wells, playing themselves. The nomads sit […]
Oscar Speeches: Soderbergh’s Shocked Reaction
April 17, 2021 by
Steven Soderbergh, who earned an Oscar for directing Traffic (2000), reminisced about his shocking win: “First of all, I was drunk, and that’s not a lie.” At the 2001 ceremony, he was also best picture-nominated for Erin Brockovich, but he did not believe he was going to win. “Suddenly, Tom Cruise is handing me this […]
Oscar Impact: Silence of the Lambs Revitalized Anthony Hopkins Career, Leading to Five More Nominations
April 17, 2021 by
Lecter earned Hopkins his first Oscar at age 54, leading to a revitalized career and five more nominations, for 1993’s The Remains of the Day, 1995’s Nixon, 1997’s Amistad, 2019’s The Two Popes and this year’s The Father.
