Paul Schrader: The Oscars Are “Woke” and “Mean Less Each Year”

Paul Schrader has weighed in, albeit cryptically, about last night’s Oscar ceremony.

We already know that he’s not an EEAAO fan, but he rather seems bothered by the international aspect of the Oscars. Why can’t it just be American movies, he says. I don’t really agree with this.

Yes, as he mentions, most filmmaking nations — Britain, France, Gemany — have their own national awards; the festivals have their own awards, but the success of international films these last few years has been refreshing.

If American cinema no longer holds the monopoly in what constitutes to be the “best” of the year, then so be it, that’s a good thing. Especially as films from the US get worse in quality on a yearly basis.

Schrader goes on to say that the Oscars “mean less every year” and cites “the need for revenue compounded by the debt carried by the museum and lowering film revenues and the scramble to be woke.”

Yes, I get it that the Academy are trying hard to appease to social media rhetoric, but, ugh, Paul, why did you have to use the W-word. Using it these days opens you to ridicule on social media, not that he would really care.

The Oscars do mean less every year, but it’s not necessarily just because of the reasons stated. Movies just aren’t part of the cultural zeitgeist as they were, say, even 20 years ago. A lot has changed, streaming has remolded perceptions and arthouse fare just doesn’t make as much money.

Honestly speaking, and I know it’s sacrilege to say this, if you truly want mainstream America to start paying attention again to the Oscars then maybe a full embracement of streaming must occur.

After all, It’s just another awards show. I couldn’t care less if that happens. We’ll still have Cannes, Venice, and Toronto celebrating the theatrical for more valid and important reasons. Otherwise, if the Academy sticks to its “traditional” ideals then they’re in for even more hurt in the years to come.