LGBT imposition at Oscars sparks debate

EXCLUSIVE BY MURAT OZTEKIN — The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards, also known as the Oscars, will be handed out on Sunday. This year, however, the Oscars will be handed out under the shadow of some controversial rules introduced under the name of "diversity."

Announced four years ago, the newly introduced practice stipulates that films seeking an award in the best film category must meet two of four rules. The primary requirement is that "underrepresented" groups must appear in leading and supporting roles, in 30% of the minor roles and in the main storyline of the film. These groups are defined as LGBTI+ people, some ethnicities, women and people with disabilities. The other three criteria require the representation of groups, including LGBTI+ people in the behind-the-scenes, distribution, and marketing teams.

Shaping the cinema

Because of all these rules, it is often perceived that the movie industry is being influenced by the prestigious Oscar Award, leading producers and directors to tailor their films according to prevailing gender discourses in order to win awards.

Arguing that the rules are an imposition under the name of diversity, director Nazif Tunc said, "Cinema, which is supposed to bring people to the best, is forced to the worst. Filmmakers submit to these dirty rules and ugly impositions to get awards. I thought that imperiousness and planned discourses had no place in art!"

Kurosawa would not get award if he came back 

Director Murat Ceri said, "Today, if (Japanese filmmaker Akira) Kurosawa came out of his grave and shot 'Dersu Uzala' for the first time, he would not get an Oscar. They don't care about big movies. They want to impose a unipolar world and a single idea. The Academy says diversity, but they have no tolerance for different ideas."

Ceri argues that the Academy's decisions are reflected in Turkish cinema: "Whoever sets the rules determines the game. Directors will shape their scripts according to these rules. The current domination will become even stronger."

On the other hand, the applicability of new rules has sparked debate among U.S. filmmakers. According to reports in the American press, producers applying for the Oscars claim that the Academy asks intrusive questions about the sexual orientation of their film crews, which they argue violates their privacy.

Who decides Oscars?

The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which distributes the Oscars, has more than 10,500 members from all over the world.

The members, whose identities have been debated for years, include actors, directors, executives, producers, costume designers and others from 18 different categories. Members of each category vote for the nominees in their field.

Traces of the imposed rules can be seen in the films among this year's Oscar favorites. In addition to its feminist content, Yorgos Lanthimos' "Poor Things" draws attention with its homosexual characters and emphasis. Similar emphases are also seen in the film "Barbie." The winners of this year's Oscars will be announced at the ceremony in Los Angeles on March 10.

Source: Newsroom