Deciphering the message of the Oscars

Beatrice E. Rangel

By: Beatrice E. Rangel - 14/03/2023


Share:     Share in whatsapp

The movie industry is the jewel in the crown of entertainment in the United States and even though from the point of view of the public sports have managed to arouse greater enthusiasm, the movies continue to be the source of reinforcement or correction of the cultural values ​​of the country. Billing $7.3 billion in box office revenue in 2022, the film industry is a powerful diffuser of values, attitudes, and ways of seeing life. The ceremony of recognition of the merit of the works carried out by the creators; interpreters and operators of the industry is the act of greatest social brilliance in the country and often sets the tone for political-cultural debates.

Begun in 1929 under the patronage of the silent film idol Douglas Fairbanks, the awards ceremony of the Academy of Cinema Arts and Sciences has become a sort of thermometer of the North American collective feeling. Thus, at the outbreak of the First World War, the ceremonies served to promote isolationism in the face of a Europe that was seen as chaotic. The Great Depression led the cinema to project the benefits of community solidarity and political patriotism, understood as unrestricted support for the nascent American industry. After the Second World War, American cinema turned to revealing the crimes of Nazism; anti-communism and the adoption of new technologies for the home, transportation and communications. It began its great international takeoff whose geographical focus was Europe. The sixties were the canvas for protest movements against the war in general and the Vietnam War in particular. The end of the 20th century made the Oscar delivery ceremonies a hymn to the possibilities of progress represented by technological development as well as the beginning of concern for the health of the planet. Until now, in the 21st century, the main focus had been the internal struggle to achieve social diversity and the sustainability of development. The geographic center returned to the United States. The end of the 20th century made the Oscar delivery ceremonies a hymn to the possibilities of progress represented by technological development as well as the beginning of concern for the health of the planet. Until now, in the 21st century, the main focus had been the internal struggle to achieve social diversity and the sustainability of development. The geographic center returned to the United States. The end of the 20th century made the Oscar delivery ceremonies a hymn to the possibilities of progress represented by technological development as well as the beginning of concern for the health of the planet. Until now, in the 21st century, the main focus had been the internal struggle to achieve social diversity and the sustainability of development. The geographic center returned to the United States.

On Sunday, March 13, the Oscars were delivered in a setting that clearly heralds a new shift in geographic focus and political positioning. Now the interest of the United States shifts to Asia. Hollywood has announced to us that it has stopped seeing Europe as its alternative market and is preparing with all the irons to start a deployment in Asia. This explains the number of prizes awarded to the film "Everything at all times and instantly" whose protagonists are artists of Asian origin and whose plot best reflects the options and dilemmas open to the peoples of Asia in the current process of modernization that they are experiencing. the world. In the political sphere, a rallying cry was launched against totalitarianism by awarding the documentary on Alexei Navalny's fight against Vladimir Putin.

Hollywood thus heralds the advent of a new era for the United States and for the industry. That of conquering Asian affections and eradicating war in the West. Both destinations pose real dilemmas for those regions of the world that do not seem to be at the center of North American affairs. These regions will have to become relevant to the United States through economic complementarity or contribution to the eradication of war in order to attract the attention of Hollywood.


«The opinions published herein are the sole responsibility of its author».