We just broached Scorseses struggles to win best director, but here he is again with his third major slight. This one is a textbook case of the Academy falling for sentiment and scope. Dances with Wolves is big, long, and never demands your attention. Goodfellas is, well, none of those things. I think thats the best compliment available.
3. Foreign Language Films Are Second Class Citizens
Does the Academy have some secret agenda against films they have to watch with subtitles? Apparently. Im not against the Best Foreign Language Film category because it does help bring awareness to a number of great films which otherwise might be missed by many. The issue I have is that they never make their way into the Best Picture nominations, much less win the whole thing. What exactly makes them undeserving? Did the Academy honestly believe in 2001 that A Beautiful Mind elevated cinema more than Amelie? Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon managed a rare nomination (It is one of only eight to ever be nominated) at the 73rd Academy Awards but still went down to Gladiator in what felt like a fixed fight. Grave of the Fireflies has already made its case above. Listing the films which have been wronged here would take as long as the Oscar ceremony itself to do; there is not a year that goes by where at least one foreign language film deserves to be nominated (or in many cases win outright) for Best Picture but these foreign gems never get a chance. Today, cinema around the world has in many ways surpassed the American film production machine. Films from around the world defy many of the formulas and conventions which have stagnated Hollywood filmmaking. In the past, films like Run Lola Run, Oldboy, and A Separation should have opened peoples eyes more than most Best Picture nominees could ever hope to. Failing to recognize these subtitled masterpieces in the Best Picture category does more to undermine the Academy's credibility on a yearly basis than anything else.
Phil loves a good debate. Don't expect him to shy away from starting the conversation. Follow him on Twitter @MrTallgeese if you're of a like mind, or if you just want to troll him relentlessly.
