As the stars converged on the red carpet for the prestigious Academy Awards on March 10, protests over Israel’s war in Gaza brought an unexpected twist to the Oscar festivities. The demonstrations created significant traffic disruptions around the Dolby Theatre, delaying celebrities and shifting some of the evening’s focus toward the tensions stemming from the ongoing conflict.
Numerous protests sprang up near the Oscars on Sunday, prompting the Los Angeles Police Department to enhance its already significant presence. Despite extensive security measures that circled the Dolby Theatre and the iconic red carpet, protesters were able to impact the event’s perimeter. Roads were blocked several blocks in every direction, challenging Oscar attendees.
Impassioned protesters bearing signs and advocating for a ceasefire made their presence known at security checkpoints along Sunset Boulevard. The result was a bottleneck that saw some guests delayed by up to an hour. “Shame!” could be heard shouted by demonstrators as limousines and luxury cars attempted to chauffeur the stars to the Oscars. Amid these protests, police donned helmets, carried batons, and announced an unlawful assembly, warning that arrests were imminent.
Despite these interruptions, some celebrities used the opportunity to show solidarity. Billie Eilish and Finneas, who were nominated for best song for “What Was I Made For?” from the movie “Barbie,” adorned their attire with pins supporting Gaza. Prominent figures like Ava DuVernay and Ramy Youssef followed suit, making silent but poignant statements on the red carpet.
The Oscars, which began at 7 p.m. EDT and aired on ABC, saw a shakeup in schedule, starting an hour earlier due to daylight saving time. Nevertheless, the ceremony stuck to its traditional roots with Jimmy Kimmel returning as host. The star-studded event welcomed past winners who served as presenters, and all signs pointed to a night of pomp that Hollywood is known for.
“Oppenheimer,” Christopher Nolan’s highly acclaimed biopic, appeared poised to dominate the awards, overshadowing another crowd-pleaser, “Barbie.” With Oscar buzz gaining momentum, the night was anticipated to be an anointing of Nolan’s work during a year rife with political undertones.
The protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza was not the only conflict on people’s minds. The war in Ukraine was also a point of contemplation, especially for those backing the documentary “20 Days in Mariupol”. Journalist filmmakers like Mstyslav Chernov carried their country’s strife with them, embodying the sentiment that while Hollywood celebrated, hearts were indeed elsewhere.
With the U.S. presidential election underway, political discussions were expected to surface, influencing speeches and potentially creating a politically charged atmosphere.
The demonstration near the Dolby Theatre saw protesters waving Palestinian flags in front of law enforcement, highlighting a world beyond cinema where calls for ceasefire in Gaza gained volume.
The industry itself faced significant shifts with a drawn-out strike questioning the future of cinema, altered by trends in streaming, advances in artificial intelligence, and evolving preferences of audiences. This year’s films, including “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Poor Things,” were well-represented amongst the nominees, but “Oppenheimer” led the pack with 13 nominations, underlining the academy’s emphasis on both commercial success and artistry.
Historic trends show that when well-known blockbusters are in contention for major Oscars, viewership spikes. The greatest number of viewers tuned in the year “Titanic” swept the Oscars. The previous year saw “Everything Everywhere All at Once” capture the best-picture award, enjoyed by 18.7 million viewers, a marked increase from the preceding year.
Hoping to build on this success, ABC and the academy were keen on reversing the downtrend in ratings, particularly the 2021 low when fewer than 10 million viewers attended a ceremony beleaguered by the pandemic. As the proceedings began, the night was set to celebrate cinematic triumphs, but the demonstrations outside the theatre stood as a sobering reminder of the entwined nature of entertainment and global realities.
