Let’s Talk Awards Shows

The Oscars. Are they racist? Maybe. Are they anti-lesbian? Probably. Are they ridiculous? Definitely.

I’m not watching the Oscars this year, but I can’t wait for the Davids. I don’t watch the Oscars unless there’s an Italian film up for best foreign film, and not because I’m boycotting or any such silly thing, but because I just don’t care about the other awards, and I CAN’T BEAR watching the tearful, egotistical acceptance speeches. Oh my God, you didn’t cure cancer! You were in a movie that no one will remember in 10 years.

But I won’t miss the Italian ones.

For one thing, the Italian version, the David di Donatello Awards, are an indicator of the health of Italian cinema in general. Are they recognizing the new exciting filmmakers or are they stuck in the mud with the old favorites?

A clear sign that things are improving – Anime Nere (Black Souls), and watching it clean up at last year’s Davids. (Best Film, Best Director, Best Producer, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography…). It wasn’t a big budget blockbuster, many of the actors were not professional, and the director, Francesco Munzi, the producers, Olivia Musini and Luigi Musini, and the DP Vladan Radovic were out there working their asses off to promote it. This film deserved everything it got.

Vlad Radovic and producers Olivia Musini and Luigi Musini spreading the word in NYC — Vlad Radovic and producers Olivia Musini and Luigi Musini

If you haven’t already, WATCH ANIME NERE (Black Souls)

And also, the Italian are so much more humble about the whole thing. The David Di Donatello Awards (coming in April this year) are short and sweet, a painless hour of television with gracious and SHORT acceptance speeches.

Margherita Buy's Best Actress acceptance speech? "Grazie." — Margherita Buy’s Best Actress acceptance speech? “Grazie.”

This year, I’m hoping for a strong showing for movies like Stefano Sollima’s Suburra, Alberto Cavagli’s Pecore in Erba, Matteo Garrone’s Il Racconto Dei Racconti (Tale of Tales), and Paolo Sorrentino’s Youth, and there are many more strong candidates.

Youth is still playing in theaters around the US, Pecore in Erba and Tale of Tales will be soon, and YOU CAN WATCH SUBURRA RIGHT NOW.

Join me in skipping the Oscars (NOT boycotting, just skipping them) but get ready for the Davids. I’ll try to let me know where and when you can watch the David hopefuls, and tell you where you can watch the show online in April.