The 91st Academy Awards have been one of the most controversial in its 91 year history and the show has yet to air. The drama regarding the lack of host is just a week old when news broke that 4 categories would not be handed out during the live telecast. In response to the news, The American Society of Cinematographers president Kees van Oostrum sent a letter to his 380 members in which he called the move “most unfortunate,” while adding “We cannot quietly condone this decision without protest.”. The full letter stated,
Dear members of the ASC,
Yesterday afternoon the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences announced that the Best Cinematography presentation — as well as the awards for Film Editing, Live-Action Short and Make-up and Hair Styling — would not be broadcast live but presented in a delayed and edited version during the televised Oscar ceremony. This decision was apparently made in order to shorten the length of the Academy Awards broadcast.
After receiving many comments on this matter from ASC members, I think I speak for many of them in declaring this a most unfortunate decision. We consider filmmaking to be a collaborative effort where the responsibilities of the director, cinematographer, editor and other crafts often intersect. This decision could be perceived as a separation and division of this creative process, thus minimizing our fundamental creative contributions.
The Academy is an important institution that represents our artistry in the eyes of the world. Since the organization’s inception 91 years ago, the Academy Awards have honored cinematographers’ talent, craft and contributions to the filmmaking process, but we cannot quietly condone this decision without protest.
Kees van Oostrum
ASC President
There is no denying that the backlash for this choice is being felt by the Academy as last years Best Director, Guillermo Del Toro and 2019’s front runner, Alfonso Cuaron have spoken their displeasure in the move.
