The Academy currently has 7,152 members, 6,261 of whom vote. Photo. I elpais.com.co | AFP
The US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences took a step forward Friday before the storm caused by the absence of actors and directors black nominated for Oscars, announcing a package of measures to expand the diversity of its members. Read also: Gala of the Oscars would be left without assistance of African actors and directors
“The Academy will take the initiative and not wait for the industry to do so” , he said in a statement its president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, after his meeting Thursday night with the council.
As a priority line, the institution has imposed double by 2020 the number of women and persons belonging to minorities can vote for the most prestigious film awards, but offered no specifics.
The other major change will come from the side of memberships, which are subject to the activity labor of the owners.
From 2016, each member may vote for 10 years, but his right only be renewed if actively involved in the film industry throughout the decade.
<. p> In addition, the lifetime right to vote will only be awarded when a member accumulates three consecutive terms, or have won or been nominated for an Oscar
Those who do not meet the new standards will be considered emeritus members: will all privileg ios but nominations shall not grant or picking winners. “These new measures address and vote will have an immediate impact and mark the beginning of a significant change in the profile of our members change” promised the president.
The Academy currently has 7,152 members, of which 6,261 voted.
“A good step in a long journey”
The storm over Hollywood began a week ago, when the Academy Oscar nominees announced. For the second consecutive year, black actors and directors were left out of the race for the golden statuette, even though Will Smith (“Concussion”), Idris Elba (“Beasts Of No Nation”) and stars of “Straight Outta Compton” They were at the top of betting experts.
Last year was particularly scandalous exclusion of the race drama “Selma”. The film recreated how Martin Luther King fought for the rights of the black community, but not its star, David Oyelowo, nor its director Ava DuVernay, received nominations. DuVernay was precisely one of the first to react to the changes announced by the Academy.
“A good step in a long and complicated journey for people of color and women artists,” he wrote in your Twitter account.
“The marginalized artists have called for changes to the Academy for decades. Appeals from the stage. Deaf ears. Closed Minds,” he said.
The debate has sparked virulent reactions as filmmaker Spike Lee honorary -Oscar of this edition and the marriage of Will and Jada Smith interpreters.
The three already warned that not attend the awards ceremony awards will be held on February 28 in Hollywood in protest.
“Forty players in two years and no flavor. Are not we good actors ?!” Lee asked in an open letter posted on their social networks.
David Oyelowo, Don Cheadle and Cuba Gooding Jr are other of the most renowned black artists in Hollywood who have complained about the result of nominations, but so far they have not announced any boycott.
George Clooney, meanwhile, acknowledged this week that the underlying problem is more in film studies and less on the nominations.
“The African American people are right when they say the industry does not represent them well,” said actor and producer, winner of two Academy.
Experts prudently take fresh air arriving at the Academy. “It’s a great first step, but whether it will come as far as the Academy says,” told AFP Tom O’Neil, founder of specialized predictions Gold Derby site. “Only 2% of the members are black and 2% Hispanic. Is it enough?” He asked.
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