Christina Ricci Calls Out Oscars “To Leslie” Review

On Friday, Jan. 27, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences introduced it is conducting a “assessment of marketing campaign procedures” after Andrea Riseborough’s surprise best actress nomination for the indie movie “To Leslie.” Although the movie is not talked about instantly within the Academy’s assertion, the assessment is reportedly in response to the film’s Hollywood-backed grassroots Oscars marketing campaign. In the wake of the information, actor Christina Ricci is asking out the Oscars for being “elitist” relating to its marketing campaign procedures.

Per Variety, the Academy’s official assertion notes the assessment is partially a response to the way in which movies are campaigning within the digital age. “It is the Academy’s purpose to make sure that the Awards competitors is performed in a good and moral method, and we’re dedicated to making sure an inclusive awards course of,” the assertion reads. “We are conducting a assessment of the marketing campaign procedures round this 12 months’s nominees, to make sure that no pointers have been violated, and to tell us whether or not modifications to the rules could also be wanted in a brand new period of social media and digital communication. We have faith within the integrity of our nomination and voting procedures, and assist real grassroots campaigns for excellent performances.” (POPSUGAR reached out to the Academy for touch upon the assessment however didn’t obtain an instantaneous response.)

Riseborough was nominated after her Hollywood friends hosted non-public screenings of “To Leslie” and campaigned for her by way of social media. Among those that supported the actor are her fellow best actress nominee Cate Blanchett, Jane Fonda, Charlize Theron, Kate Winslet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Courteney Cox, Edward Norton, Jennifer Aniston, and Minnie Driver.

In the wake of the announcement, Ricci is condemning the Academy for tainting Riseborough’s popularity and perpetuating a system that tends to primarily honor movies backed by huge finances, studio-funded award-season campaigns. “Seems hilarious that the ‘shock nomination’ (which means tons of cash wasn’t spent to place this actress) of a legitimately good efficiency is being met with an investigation,” she commented on Variety’s Instagram post concerning the information. “So it is solely the movies and actors that may afford the campaigns that deserve recognition? Feels elitist and unique and albeit very backward to me.”

Ricci continued, “And I’m positive she had nothing to do with the campaigning. These issues aren’t managed and determined by the actors themselves and but now her nomination will probably be tainted by this. And if it is taken away disgrace on them.”

After the Oscar nominations have been introduced, Riseborough spoke with Deadline about how shocked she was to listen to her title known as. “I’m astounded,” she mentioned. “It’s such an surprising ray of sunshine. It was so laborious to imagine it would ever occur as a result of we actually hadn’t been within the operating for the rest. Even although we had a number of assist, the thought it would truly occur appeared so far-off . . . I’m not solely positive how the f*ck this occurred.”

If Riseborough’s nomination is rescinded, her spot within the class is not going to get replaced. In the historical past of the Oscars, solely 9 nominations have ever been rescinded.