Inclusion and diversity discussed at annual Oscar nominees luncheon.
But not right away.
At least, not in the press room, where it took a little while.
Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
As Academy Award contenders swarmed into the Beverly Hilton, the mood was more tense than festive.
It was supposed to start at 11:30 a.m. PT but … that didnt happen.
Heres a live run-down of who faced the press, and what they had to say.
(All times are Pacific.)
11:50 a.m. Alicia Vikander, Best Supporting Actress nominee forThe Danish Girl.
Its wonderful to hang out with them and talk about our films.
Now, Im doing something very different.
which is Im going to do a Wim Wenders [film,] almost like a two-hander.
And thats going to be very different.
12:07 p.m. Brie Larson, Best Actress nominee forRoom.
The actress, the odds-favorite winner this year, was asked about what movies mean to her.
She spoke about putting her own insecurities and doubts into her performances.
I started taking those questions and putting them into the movies I was making.
When asked about the dress she planned to wear to the Oscars, Larson wrinkled her nose.
Is that what you want to ask?
She said shell choose closer to the Feb. 28 telecast date, depending on where her emotions are.
No #OscarsSoWhite question.
Oscars diversity is finally addressed.
And what is their mood this year?
But certainly its something thats on everybodys mind.
He was also asked about the impactThe Danish Girlmight have on the transgender community.
I would never pretend that our work would have any huge effect, Redmayne said.
But I hope what we were doing was continuing the conversation.
Its an extraordinary thing that in the past year or two transitions have come to the mainstream media.
… Change is happening, but what staggers me is how long its taken.
Stallone grabbed the elephant in the room by its tusks.
Certainly, there is a universal law of existence.
You either adapt or cease to exist.
I remember I spoke with Ryan Coogler when this [#OscarsSoWhite controversy] happened.
I said, Ryan how do you want to handle this?
Because I really believe you are responsible for me being here, Stallone said.
I think he shouldve been given a lot more respect and attention.
Eventually things will change.
He said, No I want you to go.
Thats the kind of guy he is.
He wants us to go and represent the film.
The actor said he was optimistic that the after-effects of this issue will be positive.
Eventually all talent will rise to the top.
I really owe everything to these two young men, for sure.
12:14 Tom McCarthy, Best Director and Original Screenplay nominee forSpotlight, which is also up for Best Picture.
McCarthy acknowledged the #OscarsSoWhite conversation was both emotional and important one to have.
It comes down to, for me, accountability.Personalaccountability.
It raises the question what can we all do?
Every writer, director actor, producer, and theater-goer.
He was then asked if he thought it would change the way he made films in the future.
Yeah, I do.
Not only casting, but writing.
It starts on the page, he said.
Its a very specific culture.
You always have to be true to the material, but also aware.
What the society Im presenting?
12:29 p.m. Rooney Mara, a supporting actress nominee forCarol.
Ive been in my own little bubble.
But I think its a conversation that we should all be having.
(She plays a woman Cate Blanchetts title character falls in love with in the repressive 1950s.)
And they said there should also be a hashtag #OscarSoStraight.
These are important conversations for us all to be having.
Its there in the back of your mind.
He also said he thought the film world lagged behind in diversifying its storytelling.
