Hollywood’s Call for Peace: Gaza Crisis Eclipses Glitz of Academy Awards
This year, the widely acclaimed Academy Awards wasn’t just to celebrate the finest in film and cinema; it turned into a platform for solidarity. Major stars, including Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell, Mark Ruffalo, Ramy Youssef, and many more, donned red Artists4Ceasefire pins.
These pins are part of an organization of the same name that is supported by entertainment industry insiders. Beyond these red pins and even before the Oscars, the organization sent an open letter signed by 400 artists, including Bradley Cooper and America Ferrara, asking US President Joe Biden for an “immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.”
Moments of solidarity also shone through from protestors outside the venue. Their coming together and gathering outside the venue, demanding a ceasefire, blocked traffic and led to the event occurring later than it should have.
On the stage itself, Gaza and the war streamed into acceptance speeches. Director Jonathan Glazer, who won the Best International Film Award for ‘The Zone of Interest’, spoke about the war in Gaza during his acceptance speech.
“Right now we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people,” he said in his speech.
All these moments at an international stage that celebrates film in one of the most-watched award shows of the year highlight how Gaza is in the hearts and minds of many.
