The mood at the Oscars? Urgent, anxious
As Paul Thomas Anderson accepted the award for Best Picture at the 78th Academy Awards on Sunday evening, he noted, “There is no ‘best’. There is just what mood there might be that day.” What was the mood in the room that picked One Battle After Another, a father-daughter story set in a racist dystopia, over a vampire film about the historical oppression of Black people in the US (Sinners), a Brazilian drama about the annihilation of memory under authoritarianism (The Secret Agent) and a satire about class hierarchy and rampant capitalism (Bugonia)? What, indeed, was the mood that led to such richly imagined films, anchored in contemporary anxieties, being feted on one of the world’s most glamorous stages?
While they may be projected as a celebration of cinema, the Oscars, as well as other major awards like the Golden Globes and Emmys, have long been lampooned as parties where an insular industry merely pats itself on the back. If this year felt different — more charged with meaning and emotional heft — it comes down to the films themselves, many of which captured the uncertainties and ruptures of the past few years. The most mainstream films of the day are doing what art has long done: Capturing, crystallising and nudging a reckoning with these fears.
The days of frothy fare and blockbuster entertainers are certainly not over. But the wide acclaim for films like Sinners, One Battle After Another and The Secret Agent shows that critics and audiences — even the notoriously wary Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences — are hungry for cinema that can give form to disquiet and find a language for inarticulate rage. If Anderson is right about the “mood” determining the honours in any given year, then the mood right now, spilling from the streets into the cloistered world of films, is one of urgency.
- 1Films like "Bugonia" and "Sinners" highlight pressing economic and social issues such as rampant capitalism, class hierarchy, and historical oppression. These narratives serve as critical reflections on societal structures, demonstrating how art can articulate collective anxieties and stimulate public discourse on systemic inequalities. Such cinematic portrayals underscore the profound impact of economic policies and social injustices on human lives, prompting a deeper understanding of contemporary challenges.
- 2"The Secret Agent," depicting memory annihilation under authoritarianism, directly addresses critical governance failures. This theme underscores how regimes suppress fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and the right to information, essential for democratic functioning. Such narratives highlight the importance of robust constitutional safeguards and an active citizenry in preventing the erosion of democratic institutions and ensuring governmental accountability, crucial for maintaining a just society.
- 3The themes of "racist dystopia" and "historical oppression" in films like "One Battle After Another" resonate with constitutional principles of equality and non-discrimination. These narratives implicitly critique legal systems that historically failed to protect fundamental rights, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for justice. They highlight the importance of constitutional articles, akin to India's Article 14 and 15, in ensuring equal protection under law and prohibiting discrimination, reinforcing the need for legal reforms.
- 4The global acclaim for films addressing universal anxieties like racism, authoritarianism, and inequality, exemplified by the Oscars, showcases cinema's role in cultural diplomacy. These narratives transcend national borders, fostering international understanding of shared human experiences and societal challenges. Such platforms amplify global discourse on human rights and social justice, subtly influencing international perceptions and potentially encouraging cross-cultural dialogue on governance and societal well-being.