April 9, 2022
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says Will Smith has been banned from attending the Oscars for the next 10 years after he slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage.
Smith is also not permitted to attend any other events held by Hollywood's top film group over the next decade, but the board did not decide to revoke the best actor Oscar he won last month for "King Richard."
"The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards," says president David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson in a letter. — AFP
April 1, 2022
The show's producer says police officers were ready to arrest Will Smith after he attacked comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars.
In his first public comments since the shocking episode that marred Hollywood's most important evening, Will Packer says he had sat with Rock when officers came to speak to him.
"They were saying, you know, this is battery.... They said we will go get him, we are prepared, we are prepared to get him right now, you can press charges, we can arrest him, you have -- they were laying out the options," Packer tells ABC Television. — AFP
March 31, 2022
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says Will Smith refused to leave the Oscars ceremony after attacking comedian Chris Rock, as it began disciplinary action against the mega star.
Smith had been asked to leave the Dolby Theatre after marching onstage and hitting Rock for a joke about his wife's hair. Moments after the shocking episode, he was handed the best actor award to a standing ovation.
"While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently," a statement says. — AFP
March 29, 2022
The Academy of Motion Picture Art and Sciences launches a "formal review" of the shocking moment during Sunday's Oscars when Will Smith struck Chris Rock on stage over a joke about his wife's hair-loss condition.
"The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night's show," the Academy says in a statement to AFP.
"We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law."
March 28, 2022
"CODA," the heartwarming indie drama about a deaf family defying the odds, on Sunday won the top prize on Oscars night for best picture.
Lady Gaga and Liza Minnelli presented the award to the film, which follows teenage Ruby -- who can hear -- as she juggles pursuing her musical ambitions with her family's dependence on her to communicate. Deaf actors feature in several lead roles.
It beat a crowded field that included "Belfast," "The Power of the Dog" and "Dune" to take home the coveted prize from the 94th Academy Awards.
March 28, 2022
Jessica Chastain on Sunday took home the Oscar for best actress, a reward for her remarkable physical transformation into a larger-than-life US televangelist in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye."
Chastain, 45, won over Academy voters with a performance that saw her don complex prosthetics, wigs and layers of Tammy Faye Bakker's trademark heavy makeup every day on set in order to embody the late singer-turned-minister and LGBTQ activist.
She bested Olivia Colman ("The Lost Daughter"), Penelope Cruz ("Parallel Mothers"), Nicole Kidman ("Being the Ricardos") and Kristen Stewart ("Spencer") to win the prize.
March 28, 2022
Will Smith wins best actor Oscar for 'King Richard'
March 28, 2022
Jane Campion wins best director Oscar for 'The Power of the Dog'
March 28, 2022
Hollywood A-listers held a moment of silence at Sunday's Oscars gala to show support "for the people of Ukraine currently facing invasion, conflict and prejudice within their own borders."
"While film is an important avenue for us to express our humanity in times of conflict, the reality is millions of families in Ukraine need food, medical care, clean water and emergency services," read slides projected at the glamorous night celebrating the movie industry.
"Resources are scarce and we -- collectively as a global community -- can do more."
March 28, 2022
The Japanese arthouse film "Drive My Car" on Sunday won the Oscar for best international feature.
The poignant three-hour movie also earned Ryusuke Hamaguchi a nomination for the coveted best director prize.
The film bested a crowded field of global hits that included "Flee" (Denmark), "The Hand of God" (Italy), "Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom" (Bhutan) and "The Worst Person in the World" (Norway). — AFP
March 28, 2022
Troy Kotsur makes history Sunday as the first deaf male actor to earn an Oscar, for his authentic turn as the father of a loving family in the heartfelt indie drama "CODA."
"This is amazing to be here on this journey. I cannot believe I'm here," Kotsur says in sign language, eyes glistening.
Kotsur notches the win over a crowded field that included Jesse Plemons ("The Power of the Dog"), Ciaran Hinds ("Belfast"), J.K. Simmons ("Being the Ricardos") and Kodi Smit-McPhee ("The Power of the Dog").
The only other deaf actor to win an Oscar is Kotsur's "CODA" co-star Marlee Matlin, in 1987 for best actress in "Children of a Lesser God." — AFP
March 28, 2022
Disney's "Encanto," beloved for its sparkling magical realism and chart-topping earworms, scoops the Oscar for best animated feature on Sunday.
The hit film defeated a diverse field — Afghan refugee documentary "Flee," Pixar's Italy-set coming-of-age tale "Luca," futuristic family comedy "The Mitchells vs. the Machines" and Disney's fantasy adventure "Raya and the Last Dragon." — AFP
March 28, 2022
Ariana DeBose nabs the Oscar for best supporting actress for her star turn as Anita in Steven Spielberg's adaptation of the hit musical "West Side Story."
"Even in this weary world that we live in, dreams do come true," DeBose says through tears, after besting a crowded field that included Jessie Buckley ("The Lost Daughter"), Judi Dench ("Belfast"), Kirsten Dunst ("The Power of the Dog") and Aunjanue Ellis ("King Richard"). — AFP
March 28, 2022
Megastar Beyonce kicks off the 94th Academy Awards on Sunday with a performance of the nominated song from "King Richard," the tennis biopic that is among the top contenders at this year's Oscars gala.
"CODA," "The Power of the Dog" and "Belfast" are also among the frontrunning films at Tinseltown's biggest celebration, which saw A-listers grace the red carpet in their finest before the main event.
Bathed in a sea of tennis ball green, Queen Bey belted out "Be Alive," which scored a nomination for best original song, from the tennis courts where superstars Venus and Serena Williams trained as children in Compton, California. — AFP
March 25, 2022
Hollywood is anxious to find out if "CODA," "The Power of the Dog" or "Belfast" will be named the year's best film at the Oscars on Sunday -- and whether audiences will actually tune in to see it happen.
Moody Western "The Power of the Dog" had looked set to ride off into the sunset with Tinseltown's top prize, handing Netflix its much-coveted first best picture, but the Academy Awards race has been flung wide open in the past few weeks.
"CODA" -- an uplifting drama about an eccentric deaf family -- has surged in popularity, and industry insiders say Kenneth Branagh's childhood-inspired "Belfast" cannot be ruled out. — AFP
March 23, 2022
Beyonce and Billie Eilish will perform during Sunday's Oscars, but outspoken vaccine skeptic Van Morrison is skipping Hollywood's biggest night, organizers said Tuesday.
All three performers are nominated for best song at the 94th Academy Awards -- along with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Diane Warren, whose songs will also be performed on the broadcast.
Pop superstar Beyonce's Oscar-nominated ballad "Be Alive" was penned for tennis biopic "King Richard," which stars Will Smith as the father of tennis greats Serena and Venus Williams. — AFP
March 8, 2022
Oscar nominees from Steven Spielberg and Will Smith to first-time Bhutanese director Pawo Choyning Dorji gather at a Los Angeles ballroom, as Hollywood's award season enters its final stretch.
The Academy's glitzy annual luncheon for nominated A-listers and indie auteurs did not take place last year because of the pandemic, but returned with a starry in-person crowd of those who made the best films released in 2021, a year during which many movie theaters reopened.
Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz chatted to Guillermo del Toro and Maggie Gyllenhaal over drinks, while Denzel Washington posed for photos with a long line of admirers. — AFP
March 8, 2022
Oscar nominees from Steven Spielberg and Will Smith to first-time Bhutanese director Pawo Choyning Dorji gather at a Los Angeles ballroom, as Hollywood's award season enters its final stretch.
The Academy's glitzy annual luncheon for nominated A-listers and indie auteurs did not take place last year because of the pandemic, but returned with a starry in-person crowd of those who made the best films released in 2021, a year during which many movie theaters reopened.
Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz chatted to Guillermo del Toro and Maggie Gyllenhaal over drinks, while Denzel Washington posed for photos with a long line of admirers.
"If there's ever been a time to be grateful for, and to revel in, an occasion that allows us to be in the same room, ladies and gentlemen, this is the year," said Will Packer, who will produce the 94th Academy Awards show. — AFP/Andrew Marszal
February 23, 2022
The Oscars next month will pre-tape the announcements of eight winners in an attempt to make the televised ceremony "tighter and more electric," organizers say.
The decision, made to "prioritize the television audience," will free up more time for musical performances, comedy and tributes, Academy president David Rubin says in an email to nominees and members.
Eight awards "will initially be presented in the Dolby Theatre in the hour before the live broadcast begins," and edited highlights will be "folded seamlessly into the live televised show," the email seen by AFP says. — AFP
February 9, 2022
The Oscar nominations are out and Netflix's "Power of the Dog," a gothic Western drama, leads the contenders in the race.
Sprawling sci-fi epic "Dune" was second with 10 nominations for the Academy Awards, which will take place on March 27 in Hollywood.
"Belfast" -- Kenneth Branagh's black-and-white, semi-autobiographical recounting of 1960s violence in Northern Ireland -- and Steven Spielberg's reimagined "West Side Story" were tied for third place at seven nominations. — with AFP
A thread on this year's Oscar nominees, winners and ceremony.