This year’s Oscar nominations have proven to be the most diverse in history.
Steven Yeun, star of “Minari,” is the first Asian-American to be nominated in the Lead Actor category. Riz Ahmed, star of “Sound of Metal,” is nominated in the same category and is the first Muslim to be nominated for Lead Actor.
Chloé Zhao is the first woman of color nominated for Best Director, and this is the first time two women have been nominated in that category in the same year (with Emerald Fennell, director of “Promising Young Woman,” being the other female nominee). The producers of “Judas and the Black Messiah” have become the first all-Black team to be nominated for Best Picture. Overall, nine actors of color were nominated as well.
It is entirely possible that Chloé Zhao, who was born in China, could win the Best Director category. She has been sweeping at other awards ceremonies such as the Golden Globes, the Critics’ Choice awards and other necessary awards to capture the attention of the Academy. This would not make her the first Asian to win this Oscar, but the importance of this representation cannot be understated.
This is a fascinating year, especially in light of the “Oscars So White” movement that began in 2015, addressing the lack of nominations for people of color in nearly every category. It is uplifting to see these excellent members of the cast and crew getting their well-deserved acknowledgement.
This year’s lineup does not excuse their years of neglect toward filmmakers and actors of color, however. It has taken the Academy 93 years to correct their mistakes, when all along there have been strong films coming from all over the globe, and from voices as diverse as the globe itself. Even now, the Best Picture category is neglecting Black filmmakers who should have been shoe-ins for the category; “One Night in Miami,” “Da 5 Bloods” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” did not get enough Oscar nominations overall to place themselves within the Best Picture nominees, despite the overwhelming critical praise they have garnered.
Hopefully this trend of diversity will last longer than just this year, but for now, it is good to see a myriad of voices being represented this year.
