One for its content, and two, for David Oyeleowo who happens to be a son of the soil. Selma is the historical drama based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting right march led by activists James Bevel, Hosea Williams and Martin Luther King Jr. David Oyelewo gave a mesmerizing and astounding performance as the iconic Martin Luther King Jr. His performance was riveting and astute. It had eradicated any and all hesitations I previously held of how a short, dark skinned, Yoruba man could possibly play the charismatic, fair skinned, activist. He blew away any doubts I had of his capability to capture the essence of this broad ranged and complex Nobel prize winning activist.
Selma was nominated in 2 categories in the Oscars. Best picture and Best original song.
Unfortunately, the film lost in Best picture category but won the Best Original Song trophy for the emotional, resonant theme song, "Glory", for perfrmers and songwriters Common and John Legend.
In his endearing acceptance speech, Common linked the civil rights movement to similar movements in France and Hong Kong.
“The spirit of this bridge connects the kid from the South Side of Chicago, dreaming of a better life, to those in France standing up for their freedom of expression, to those in Hong Kong, protesting for democracy,” he said. “This bridge was built on hope, welded with compassion and elevated with love for all human beings.”John Legend got more explicitly political in his speech.
“We say that Selma is now, because the struggle for justice is right now,” he said. “We know that the Voting Rights Act that they fought for 50 years ago is being compromised right now in this country today. We know that right now, the struggle for freedom and justice is real. We live in the most incarcerated country in the world. There are more black men under correctional control today then were under slavery in 1850. We are with you, we see you, we love you and march on,” he concluded.
The rapper and the singer had previously performed the song during the Oscar ceremony as well as at the conclusion of this month’s Grammy Awards. The song has charted on the Hot 100, making it the third consecutive hit song to win this prize, after Adele’s title song from Skyfall and “Let It Go” from Frozen. But the relevance of “Glory” has less to do with chart performance than with its lyrical references to recent events in Ferguson, Missouri.
I am glad it got at least that one Oscar. But what does this say in general about the academy? Why do films, that though sometimes substantial, and usually autobiographical mostly get nominated, Yet films of true historical accounts of black oppressions ever rarely win? Despite having power forces like Oprah Winfrey and Brad Pitt as producers. Yes, 12 years a slave won best picture in last years academy awards but others like Lee Daniels' the butler were snubbed. I think the academy needs to encourage black films with more wins if not nominations in-order to educate and sensitize the American people and the world public at large on the importance black awareness, tolerance and history of racism for the African American people using this most prestigious of film awards as a platform. Well, not to dampen the spirit of this one win, once again i celebrate with all the cast and crew of Selma. Mr Oyelewo, Common and John Legend.. Job well done!
Click the link to view full list of winners and the most gorgeous fashion for the night.
http://www.peoplestylewatch.com/people/stylewatch/package/article/0,,20881794_20902612,00.html
http://www.peoplestylewatch.com/people/stylewatch/package/gallery/0,,20881794_20903377,00.html
I leave you with chorus of glory...
"Oh one day, when the glory comes, it will be ours, it will be ours. Oh one day, when the war is won, we will be sure we will be sure. Oh glory, glory. Oh glory,glory."
No comments:
Post a Comment