It’s the biggest night in show business, and it’s getting some bad press.
After Kevin Hart stepped down, there’s still no host for the 91st Annual Academy Awards. To combat years of falling ratings, major categories like cinematography were cut from the live show to reduce running time.
Hollywood is hanging onto the diversity of its offerings for salvation. Following the #OscarsSoWhite backlash, it appears the industry is taking steps in the right direction, with this year’s Oscar nominees creating a broader mosaic than in years past.
Mexican school-teacher-turned-actress Yalitza Aparicio received a Lead Actress nod for Roma, and Lady Gaga, an open member of the LGBTQ+ community, got one for A Star is Born. African American director Spike Lee earned a nomination for BlacKkKlansman, the first in his 30-year career.
We can’t diminish this progress. But we also can’t overlook the lack of Indigenous voices on the big ballots or the silver screen. We caught up with Shuswap actress Grace Dove at WE Day Vancouver to hear her take on things. Known for her roles in The Revenant and How It Ends, you can catch her in the upcoming film, Monkey Beach, from Métis Cree director Loretta Todd.