I asked Grok to summarize the new rules for a film to qualify for an Oscar. Among some other regulations including minimum theatrical releases in at least 10 of 50 “important” cities for at least 7 days, there is also this:
“Films must submit a confidential RAISE form (Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry) and meet at least two out of four standards covering on-screen representation, creative leadership, industry access, and audience development. These promote diversity in underrepresented groups (e.g., racial/ethnic, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities). Failure to meet this disqualifies a film from Best Picture contention (though not other categories).”
So it makes me wonder a few things, such as how a creative person is forced to cram their vision into a box that meets these criteria. And then it made me wonder, if films HAVE to include “underrepresented” groups doesn’t that mean that they are at least perfectly well represented if not OVER-REPRESENTED? If it’s a quota, well, African Americans are 13%, gays are what somewhere around 2% to 5%, etc. If EVERY FILM has at least 50% then there is over-representation, just by math.
Me, I just want a good story and a well executed film. I don’t care if it’s Denzel or Spike Lee or Antoine Fuqua. They all make great movies. So do plenty of British and American “non-marginalized” people.
I guess my larger point is that the Oscars are down because audiences aren’t as interested or invested in the films that are being nominated. Really enjoyable films that audiences like to go see either do not qualify OR are consider schlock - even if they spend a fortune, films like Top Gun aren’t going to win.
I think your last paragraph makes some good points.
The impression I get is that many of these movies did not do very well at the box office. Me and people I know had not heard of most of these movies.
If that’s true of a lot of other people, If they had not heard of the movies, and didn’t care about them, then, they would not care to watch the Oscars.
I agree.