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While all the 2023 Oscar nominations have just been revealed, one of the films returning in the most categories is particularly talked about. The opportunity for its director to return to this event and the evolution of the Oscars, which would not have had such a selection a few years ago.
Summary
- Statuettes for The Fabelmans?
- Do blockbusters have their place at the Oscars?
Statuettes for The Fabelmans?
This is probably one of the most anticipated films of this beginning of the year, Steven Spielberg finally returns to the cinema with The Fabelmans, scheduled for February 22. Inspired by his own youth, the director behind cinematic monuments such as Jaws, AND the extra-terrestrial, IndianaJones, Jurassic Park or even the recent remake of West Side Story This time offers to discover the story of Sammy Fabelman, a young teenager from Arizona discovering a disturbing family secret. In order to accept the truth more easily, Sammy will then take refuge in the world of cinema by creating several films with his friends.
If the French public has not yet had the chance to see this feature film, it has already caused a sensation in the United States and found itself propelled to the Oscars in no less than seven categories, including some of the most prestigious:
- Best film
- Best Achievement
- Best Actress for Michelle Williams
- Best Supporting Actor for Judd Hirsch
- Best Original Screenplay
- Best Sets and Art Direction
- Best Music
While Hollywood’s most profitable director already has three statuettes (two for Schindler’s List and one for Saving Private Ryan), it could very well be that he strengthens his collection a little further. The opportunity for him to look back on his career, but especially on the evolution of the Oscars, which takes a rather unexpected turn.
Do blockbusters have their place at the Oscars?
Asked about the evolution of the selection of Oscar-winning films for several years, Steven Spielberg recently gave his opinion on the subject. He thinks in particular that, even if they will eventually come back, the dramas have gradually given way to films corresponding to another audience, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic. He takes the example of two films directed by Sam Mendes: American Beauty and 1917. While both have been widely rewarded (5 Oscars for the first, 3 for the second), he thinks a film like American Beauty “probably never would have had the same fate as 2009” had it been released today, unlike 1917. To justify his thinking, he mentions in particular the fact that, according to him, the audience has become younger since the pandemic:
I think the pandemic has encouraged many audiences, not just the older ones, but the younger ones, to stay home and watch movies on their screens.
Still related to this subject, Spielberg also seems rather satisfied with the presence of big blockbusters like Top Gun: Maverick and Avatar 2 in the category of best films. According to him, some films released a few years ago would have deserved the same treatment:
I am really encouraged by this selection. It comes a bit late for movies that should have been named years ago, like The Dark Knight by Christopher Nolan. This movie definitely could have found itself nominated in the Best Picture category had it been released today, so seeing these two blockbusters in the Top 10 Movies list is something we should all celebrate.”
If The Dark Knight won two statuettes in 2009 (those for best actor in a supporting role for Heath Ledger and best sound editing) and was well nominated in many categories (best cinematography, best art direction, best make-up, best sound mixing and best visual effects), it is true that the most prestigious as best film and best director were not granted to him. Fortunately, things are starting to change. It only remains to wait for the ceremony in March to find out if Top Gun: Maverick and Avatar 2 will succeed in winning this kind of rewards.
