The 90th Academy Awards were big on change this year after all that has happened in 2017. From a discourse on the #MeToo campaign and memorable wins to an unhindered colour palette on the red carpet, the Oscars were big moments galore.
So, what stood out as the best things at the Oscars? We have the lowdown…
Colour returns to the red carpet
Despite the Hollywood award season being spearheaded by initiatives against sexual harassment and the subsequent donning of the colour black at the red carpet, the 90th Oscar Academy Awards witnessed a return to vibrant colours –– of course, with couture and unabashed glamour. Done in a bid to make it clear that the movement is bigger than awards shows, the Time’s Up organizers made no dress code requests in advance of Sunday’s event.
Fashion statements made it big
Although Call Me By Your Name screenwriter James Ivory may have been an unexpected candidate who pulled into first place at the award show, him walking down the red carpet wearing a shirt with CMBYN star Timothée Chalamet’s face on it, really made him an interesting candidate at the carpet to look at!
That being said, one of the best fashion moments of the evening still has to be Whoopi Goldberg, who sashayed it away in a voluminous floral off-the-shoulder gown and accessorized with dark sunglasses. Plus, she wore sneakers under the gown!
Girl-boss is a new identity taking over Hollywood and Emma Stone proves that her no-nonsense suit is what it stands for!
Black Panther cast owned their roots in style and glamour.
Chadwick Boseman brought ‘Black Panther’ to the red carpet in a Wakanda-inspired Givenchy jacket with embroidered lapels. Boseman crossed his arms in the signature Wakandan X greeting on the red carpet.
Tiffany Haddish wore her famous ‘SNL dress’ once again – while doing a separate dress on the red carpet, of course.
Jimmy Kimmel addresses scandals
 
Since these were the first Oscars, post-Harvey Weinstein, Jimmy Kimmel took care of the serious business first as he addressed the sexual harassment scandals that have rocked Hollywood in recent months –– of course, in his own style.
“That’s the kind of men we need more of in this town,†Jimmy said, pointing to a colossal Oscar statue on the stage. “He keeps his hands where you can see them, has no penis at all.â€
He then grew serious for a moment and talked about the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, which started in Hollywood after the revelations about Mr. Weinstein and have reverberated across the globe, challenging the entertainment industry to make good on its promise to reform itself. “The world is watching us,†he said. “We need to set an example.â€
Time’s Up returns
The Time’s Up movement –– spearheaded by 300 of Hollywood’s most prominent women to combat institutionalized sexual harassment has had a far-reaching impact this awards season, and the Oscars were no different.
Activism and social politics were highlighted in a segment introduced by Ashley Judd, Salma Hayek and Annabella Sciorra, who all have gone public with allegations about enduring sexual harassment or worse at the hands of Harvey Weinstein.
The women recognized the seismic shift in Hollywood’s culture in recent months with the rise of #MeToo, and Ashley Judd spoke of the voices ‘joining in a mighty chorus that is finally saying Time’s Up.’
They were followed by an emotional video featuring Mira Sorvino, Sarah Silverman, Greta Gerwig, Geena Davis, and Kumail Nanjiani, who injected a note of humour by adding that diverse movies should be an incentive for Hollywood. “Don’t do it for society and representation,†Kumail said, “Do it because you get rich, right?â€
Netflix film wins best documentary
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In a surprise win, the Oscar for Best Documentary went to Icarus – a Netflix film about systematic Russian doping at the Olympics. It was Netflix’s first Oscar for a feature film, proving that digital platforms have come to par with the mainstream industry.
Kumail Nanjiani and Lupita Nyong’o pay tribute to dreamers
During the ceremony, Lupita Nyong’o and Kumail Nanjiani presented the award for Best Production Design, but before that, they took a moment to honour immigrants. The actress from 12 Years a Slave noted that she’s from Kenya, getting a huge cheer from the audience and Kumail Nanjiani explained that he’s from Pakistan.
"Dreams are the foundation of Hollywood and dreams are the foundation of America." —Lupita Nyong'o
"So to all the Dreamers out there, we stand with you." —Kumail Nanjiani#Oscars pic.twitter.com/MTDOhQe2FZ
— The A.V. Club (@TheAVClub) March 5, 2018
“To all dreamers,†saying “we stand with you.†The word choice there seems very purposeful, with tomorrow bringing the official end of the Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals program that is supposed to protect the children of undocumented immigrants—known as “Dreamers.â€
