❮
❯
VIRAL EXCLUSIVE
March 15, 2024
Memorable Moments from the 96th Oscars
From entertaining gags to awards and speeches, the 96th Oscar Awards concluded on 10 March 2024 with lingering feelings. By Ching Wai.
US - By now, Jimmy Kimmel is a veteran at hosting the Oscars, this year being his fourth time holding the position. From scripted moments to his witty jabs, it is clear how the ceremony was able to run as smoothly as it could. However, towards the end of the Academy Awards, Kimmel allegedly had extra time and used it to address former American president Donald Trump’s post about the host on Truth Social, a social media platform. Kimmel responded to the rather distasteful post of him, “... isn’t it past your jail time?”, garnering applause from the star-studded audience. In hindsight though, the unnecessary clapback seems to come from somewhere more personal.
The award presenters had their fair share of fun at the ceremony too. Memorable moments were created by bringing in major events that had major cultural impacts. For example, John Cena streaking as he presented the Oscar for Best Costume Design. This took viewers back to 1974 when streaking was a cultural phenomenon and someone had run through the 46th Oscars set naked. ‘Barbieheimer’ was also brought to the stage by Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, who presented a tribute to stunt performers together. “The way this award season has turned out, [Barbieheimer] wasn’t that much of a rivalry,” said Blunt. This was in reference to the 7 awards Oppenheimer won in comparison to Barbie’s 1 award. Gosling responded by referring to how the two movies grossed at the worldwide box office, “...But I think I kind of figured out why it’s called ‘Barbieheimer’ and not ‘Oppenarbie’. You’re on the tail end because you rode Barbie’s coattails all summer.” Such moments give a breath of nostalgia as viewers reminisce the influence of past and present films.
Opinions will always be divided when it comes to who deserved to win the Oscar awards. Yet if we can see past the awards that do not determine but celebrate the skills and efforts of artists around the world, we can properly embrace the impact and messages they seek to bring. This has been done by directors Mstyslav Chernov of 20 Days In Mariupol and Jonathan Glazer of The Zone of Interest. Chernov and Glazer both played down the significance of their awards, choosing instead to highlight the atrocities that were happening as they spoke.
Chernov said when he accepted the Best Documentary Feature award that he would trade it for Ukrainian lives. “... [W]e can make sure that the history record is set straight and that the truth will prevail and that the people of Mariupol and those who have given their lives will never be forgotten. Because cinema forms memories, and memories form history.” Similarly, Glazer said during his acceptance speech, “... [a]ll the victims of this dehumanisation - how do we resist?”
Ratings for the award show among adults aged 18-49 was reported to have slightly dropped. This may be due to the ongoing ceasefire protests. Yet, the Oscars still had a four percent increase in the average viewership on ABC from a year ago. It can be observed that the general audience is showing greater interest in the event. This may be because of the presence of big pictures and popular films like Oppenheimer, Barbie, The Zone of Interest and Poor Things. It is also possible that viewers are watching in anticipation for how esteemed celebrities are acting as protests and wars continue outside the safety of the Dolby Theatre.
