And the Nominees Are…
It’s been quite a day for awards of all kinds. We just finished the Golden Globes, and now the Oscar nominations are public. (If you’re as big or even bigger of a movie geek than I am, my past ruminations on the Oscars of the past couple years are here, here, and here.) This past year hasn’t been all that great for movies, in my opinion, and looking over the nominations, it’s about what you’d expect, I think. I’ve only seen one of the Best Picture nominees so far (and I regret not catching “The Departed” on the big screen, but it’ll be out on DVD before long): “Little Miss Sunshine,” which is an absolutely hilarious film. It’s the kind of picture I wish they’d make more often (even though it’s obvious they didn’t film anywhere near the real Redondo Beach). “Letters from Iwo Jima” is supposed to be very good, and since it’s almost entirely in Japanese with English subtitles, I nearly went to see it. But I’d like to watch it in tandem with Eastwood’s other movie, “Flags of Our Fathers,” which is the other side of the story, literally. So that one goes on my Netflix list as well. The same is true of “The Queen”– Helen Mirren has had an absolutely outstanding year. She already won at the Golden Globes for playing Elizabeth I and Elizabeth II, so she’s doing quite well. An Oscar at this point would just be icing on the cake.
As for “Babel,” as some of you know by now, the movie not only garnered positive reviews, it also came with its own controversy: the character of the deaf Japanese girl is played by a hearing woman. I have mixed feelings about this: on one hand, I strongly believe that deaf characters should be played by deaf actors, period. On the other hand, I read in the Los Angeles Times that the actress fought for the role for over a year, and immersed herself in JSL in order to be credible in the role. So while I wish the director hadn’t capitulated and cast her, I’ve gotta give her some credit for a certain amount of moxie, and a willingness to try to do the role justice. Still, all things considered, I’d prefer a deaf Japanese actress had won the role. Win some, lose some, I guess…
The other categories are full of other movies I have yet to see, with the exception of “Volver,” which was a good movie– maybe not everyone’s cup of tea, but as a friend said, it’s Pedro Almodovar’s most approachable movie yet. If you’ve ever seen an Almodovar movie, you’ll understand what I’m talking about. I suppose Mirren will probably beat her competition, but I think Penelope Cruz would be equally deserving. Out of sentimentality and a desire to see film legends receive their due, I’d love to see Peter O’Toole and Martin Scorsese score Oscars– of the two, Scorsese is more likely to actually give his speech, but I think O’Toole should definitely have a few remarks in mind. You never know… I guess we’ll all find out come February 25. I agree with the Chronicle’s Mick La Salle– “V for Vendetta” should have been nominated for something (perhaps adapted screenplay, at least?), but to be honest, reading the graphic novel is a better use of your time than watching the movie.
It’s awards season elsewhere too– over at DeafRead, the nominees for this year’s Deaf Blog Awards have been unveiled. Ridor has already urged his readers to “do their civic duty” and is supposedly “stunned” his blog made the list of nominees. Sorry, pal– modesty doesn’t become you. However, I must admit that compared with last year, very few people trumpeted their blogs when the call for nominations was made– just about everyone said little or nothing. Even now, the reaction to the nominations is rather muted.
I’m not one for self-promotion either, although I must admit I’m somewhat disappointed this blog didn’t make the Best Politics Blog category; I’d like to think this blog is largely a political blog, with a dash of this and that on the side. But I can’t exactly complain– I’ve been nominated in not one, not two, but three categories: 2006 Blog of the Year, Best Essayist, and Best Post (single entry). As Ridor said, I’m sharing the first category with four (other) fine bloggers– any of them could (and should) win. There’s quite a few others that could easily qualify for that category as well, so I’m going to shut up now and try to remain suitably modest (it isn’t working though… is it? ;))
I’m also in excellent company in the Best Essayist category– I’ve only just discovered BiblioMarket, and I’d never heard of Heterodoxia before the announcement was made, but all of the others deserve to be in this category. In fact, that’s the fun thing about this competition: in considering my votes, I’m checking out each link, and discovering other fine minds out there. One, two, three, possibly more could end up on my daily reading list.
I’m humbled I’ve been nominated for the Best Post. In fact, I’m humbled I’ve been nominated at all. So I’d like to take a moment to thank you, my readers, for your praise. Even if I don’t win (and I don’t really expect to– I’ve got some very stiff competition!), being nominated is reward enough. It certainly gives me additional motivation to continue blogging.
I’m looking forward to the awards banquet in DC– while some of the usual suspects will be there, it’ll be an opportunity to put names to faces, and help celebrate the deaf blogosphere. I had already mused prior to the announcement of the banquet about having our own “Oscars,” complete with red carpet, live blogging/vlogging interviews, and the like. But I think Los Angeles has plenty of awards shows as it is, and DC could use some exposure!
I’m still pondering my choices. In the meantime, good luck to all the nominees– in my eyes, you’re all already winners. I look forward to meeting a good number of you very soon!
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The big brouhaha today in the deaf blogosphere is about I. King Jordan’s Op-Ed in the Washington Post, and quite a few others have discussed this topic and analyzed it. I’m talking about it here, because I really don’t see the need to add my voice to the chorus. One of the reasons for this is that Neil over at Deaf Firefighter’s Blog, has typed up a fairly succinct review which pretty much echoes my own thoughts. Hopefully, this is merely Jordan’s parting shot, and not the beginning of a public spat over Gallaudet. We’ll see…
I’m just going to say a quick reply to the best supporting actress nod for the Babel actress who acted as a deaf person, that it doesn’t matter now if she won or not. The movie industry now can prove it to us they can cast hearies for deaf roles.
I’m just reading several writings via the deaf blogosphere about the nominations including Babel’s best supporting actress nominee. I definitely agree deaf roles would be performed better if acted by deaf actors but if we fight against it - then that’s a bit hypocritical to the whole concept of acting. I think the important thing in this issue is to keep the deaf characters popping out onscreen. The more that come out, the more opportunity for our deaf actors to prove to casting agents that they CAN do the roles without a problem (it’d probably make it easier for them - not having to stress about if the signing by hearing looks “authentic” enough. I doubt she’ll win the Oscar as it seems the other candidates have more of a stronger chance in the media notes.
Deaf Discourse, I think that’s *always* been the case. What’s changed over the last 30 or so years is an increase in the numbers of deaf thespians auditioning for such roles, and a corresponding, if slow, increase in the numbers actually cast. There’s still a lot of problems, though. I’m not sure what the solution is, or should be.
Tate, I like your thinking– increasing the numbers of such roles might then increase the numbers of deaf people cast in this role. The one problem with this is that directors and casting agents have their own biases. I worked on a film a couple years ago where the director was very sensitive to the need for ASL, wanted the role to be accurate, had an understanding of sorts about deafness and Deaf culture, but continued to insist the hearing actor hired would stay put, and that hiring a deaf actor was out of the question. I left the production and have not listed it on my resume/credits, but it’s symptomatic of some of the problems we face.
I agree also that I don’t think the actress in “Babel” will win, but her nomination is troubling for one reason alone: it shows that hiring a hearing actor/actress in a deaf role is okay and comes with no repercussions. While I agree mounting a battle could be hypocritical and possibly detrimental, I do think we’re going to have to subtly and forcefully push back to level the playing field.
This is one of the reasons why, unlike some deaf people, I have absolutely no problem with Marlee Matlin. The fact that she’s continuing to win roles and stay visible can only be good for the rest of us– she and others are making it possible for deaf actors/actresses to be seen as “normal,” as part of the landscape, and not as a special choice to fill some PC quota or a casting decision made out of “pity.”