Political messages took centre stage at the 98th Academy Awards as several winners and presenters used their platform to address global conflicts, social justice and the role of cinema in turbulent times.
Host Conan O’Brien opened the ceremony with humour but acknowledged the possibility of political commentary throughout the evening. His remark proved prescient as multiple speeches referenced issues ranging from war and migration to gun violence and cultural representation.
While presenting the award for best international feature, Javier Bardem drew loud applause after calling for peace and voicing support for Palestine.
Later, filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson, whose film ‘One Battle After Another’ won six Oscars including best picture, reflected on the political undertones of his work while accepting the award for adapted screenplay. He said the film was written with the hope that future generations might bring greater “common sense and decency”.
The evening also highlighted themes of inclusion. Accepting the best actor award for ‘Sinners’, Michael B. Jordan paid tribute to trailblazing Black performers such as Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington and Halle Berry.
Meanwhile, filmmaker Maggie Kang became emotional while accepting the best animated feature award for ‘KPop Demon Hunters’, describing the film as an important step for Korean representation in global cinema.
Several documentary winners also used their speeches to draw attention to pressing issues. The team behind ‘All the Empty Rooms’, which examines the impact of school shootings in the US, spoke about the ongoing toll of gun violence on children and families.
Political messages were also visible on the red carpet. Filmmakers associated with the international feature nominee ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ wore pins calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, while other nominees expressed solidarity with political movements in their home countries.
The ceremony also included lighter moments, including jokes about artificial intelligence and its potential impact on the film industry. Yet the overall tone suggested that the Academy Awards are increasingly becoming a space where artists speak openly about the wider political and social climate shaping their work.
