The past 2 years in film has displayed one thing: diversity works. With the box office blockbusters, Black Panthers and Get Out (both starring Daniel Kaluuya) in the past year, young black stars are getting the opportunity to create. Kaluuya was nominated for Best Actor. Get Out, winner of Best Original Screenplay at the 90th Academy Awards, was written and directed by Key & Peele star, Jordan Peele. Peele made history last night, becoming the first African-American to win in that category.
Watch his acceptance speech below.
Jordan Peele: "Everybody who went and saw ['Get Out']…I love you. For shouting out at the theatre, for shouting out at the screen." https://t.co/RuawA1ZMoJ #Oscars pic.twitter.com/xfXsKfjweE
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 5, 2018
If you were living under a rock in 2017, Get Out was a huge success grossing over $250 million. In a horror film, where racism played the monster, Peele captured the audiences attention with story telling, suspense and comedic relief. With this Oscar win, we can expect more from Peele’s work in cinema in the future.
For Best Animated Short Film, 5-time NBA Champion and future NBA Hall of Famer, Kobe Bryant, won for his Dear Basketball. Bryant wrote “Dear Basketbal”l on November 29, 2015, the night before announcing his retirement from his 20 year NBA career.
“I don’t know if it’s possible, as basketball players we’re really supposed to shut up and dribble, said Bryant. “I’m glad we do a little bit more than that.
The memoir turned short film describes his love and connection to the game of basketball. Throughout his career Bryant had many firsts, but this tops them all. He becomes the first athlete with both a sports championship and an Academy Award.Talk about diversity in your trophy case. The 18- time NBA All-Star has expressed his passion for story telling and his win last night validates his place as one.
Both wins hold supreme significance in this time period. Peele uses the vindicating act of racism to cleverly tell a horror story, while Bryant’s compassion for basketball entices a compelling story of how love can bring out your greatest in you. The only thing that everyone deserves is a chance to create. When given, it is without a doubt, that potent delivery is often the result.
Congrats to both Bryant and Peele.
