The academy has vastly expanded its membership in response to the#OscarsSoWhite revolt and,as a result,the acting nominees are more diverse.
While there are just two non-white actors in the leading actor and actress categories,Cuba’s Ana de Armas (Blonde) and Malaysian-born Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere),there are five nominated in the supporting categories.
Four acting nominees are of Asian descent:Yeoh,Ke Huy Quan,Stephanie Hsu (all fromEverything,Everywhere) and Hong Chau (The Whale).
Everything,Everywhere,All At Once leads the Oscar nominations.Credit:A24
There are 16 first-timers among the 20 acting nominees,and Angela Bassett (Black Panther:Wakanda Forever) is the first acting nominee from a Marvel movie.
But it’s not all good news on the diversity front. After two years of women winning best director – Chloe Zhao (Nomadland),then Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog) – all the nominees in that category this year are male,and all except Daniel Kwan (Everything Everywhere) are white.
The Aussies to watch
The Baz Luhrmann-directedElvis has secured eight nominations including best picture,actor,editing and cinematographer. Catherine Martin,a producer on the film,has also been nominated for best costumes and production design.
Cate Blanchett is up for best actress,thanks toher performance inTar;and Brisbane’s Lachlan Pendragon is nominated for best animated short film for An Ostrich Told Me The World Is Fake And I Think I Believe It.
The real Elvis Presley,and Austin Butler in a recreation of the 1968 Christmas television special for Baz Luhrmann’s movie.
But let’s talk about the snubs
DespiteElvis being very muchthe product of his imagination and style – just asMoulin Rouge! was when it was up for best picture two decades ago – Baz Luhrmann was snubbed for best director.
WhileMandy Walker (Elvis) is nominated for best cinematographer,she is still only the third woman to be contending in – wait for it – 95 years.
The strong claims of theterrific Indian action filmRRRwere overlooked,except for an original song nomination. And,baffling many,there was no recognition for Gina Prince-Bythewood’s historical action filmThe Woman King –not even a widely-tipped acting nomination for Viola Davis.
Viola Davis as warrior Nanisca in The Woman King.Credit:Sony Films
The brilliant documentaryGood Night Oppy –one of the year’s most heartwarming films – was also snubbed. But there was still space for small-scale films with heart,with Bill Nighy dramaLiving,Andrea Riseborough dramaTo Leslie and international film nomineeCloseall recognised.
There’s just over six weeks to go before the Oscars on March 13 (AEDT). Bring it on.
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Email Garry Maddox atgmaddox@smh.com.au and follow him on Twitter at@gmaddox.