By
Lora J. Mackel
Each year in March, millions of Americans are hooked on the Oscar telecast. Our eyes are transfixed on the gowns, the jewels, the hair and sometimes the movies. Even the most casual viewers find themselves on the edge of their seats, rooting for an actor, a movie or a screenplay. In short, we all get sucked into the idea that the movies and the Oscars celebrate the human condition through film.
But stop and think for a moment, and you realize that the movie industry is just a self-congratulatory institution out of touch with the people it claims to memorialize.
Oscars and other awards shows share two goals: sell their products and sell their products. Put purely and simply, the movie industry is a business first and a forum for art second. Winning an Oscar can earn a film millions more dollars than it would normally have made, and the Best Picture category is so coveted that studios actively campaign for it. This year, the film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was penalized for sending all academy members a DVD of the movie. This is only one example of the antics studios employ to make their movie the "best," to academy voters.
Think about it. No other industry in the world celebrates itself as much as the film industry. They have the SAG awards, the Golden Globes, the People's Choice Awards and more - all to congratulate themselves for doing their jobs. Can you imagine if the Truckers of America halted their work three of four times a year, dressed up and gave each other awards for trucking?
Their jobs are no less important than those of actors, but they are doing their jobs for different reasons.
Each day in America, millions of people get up every day and go to work. They go because they love their families, love their jobs, need money to cover rent. The majority of the work force is decent and hard-working, and goes to work without expecting the adoration of the nation. Many never get any recognition for what they do, and most importantly they never expect it.
This is not to underscore the importance of movies in our culture. Movies are a way to work out and enforce our cultural values.
However, no matter how great movies are, they don't deserve the recognition they get every year in the Oscars and the other expensive parties they throw for themselves.
In the end, this all boils down to what our culture honors. Consider these questions: Can you name a Nobel Prize-winning scientist? A nationally recognized teacher? A hard-working janitor? Most likely, the answer is no. That is because the good and the decent in our society are silent, overlooked by the nation in favor for the smoke and mirrors created by the entertainment industry.
Of course, there is always that argument that movies are the only way that the "silent" people in our society are recognized. There is a certain truth to this. When you look, however, at who wins the awards, you will find that studios with money have had an influence on the voters. Big blockbusters like "Gladiator," with their special effects and glittery sets, are much more likely to win than movies with a slower pace and quiet protagonists.
Each year the Shrine auditorium is filled with virtually the same players. Each year, the same pool of producers, directors and actors are nominated for awards. Having an awards show implies that the Academy is open to anyone. But the Academy is conservative, and thus the same people are awarded time and again.
Basically, Oscars are a pat on the back from one elite member to another.
Movies are important to our society, but so is every other job that helps our nation to run smoothly. Enjoy the Oscars for what they are - three hours of fluffy mindless entertainment - but remember that these awards do little to award true creativity.
