Pictures from the Oscar Luncheon
Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 12:15PM by Murtada
The question on a lot of people’s minds after the SAG Awards is how political are the Oscars going to be. If there was any doubt in anyone’s mind, Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs put that to rest. Addressing those gathered for the traditional luncheon, she alluded to the banned Muslim nominees, Asghar Farhadi and others, by pointing to the empty chairs:
Today we celebrate you. Your work and your achievements, but everyone knows there are some empty chairs in this room which has made Academy artists, activists. There is a struggle globally today over artistic freedom that feels more urgent than at anytime since the 1950s. Art has no borders. Art has no language and doesn’t belong to a single faith. No, the power of art is that it transcends all these things. And strong societies don’t censor art. They celebrate it.
By calling the nominees “activists”, Boone Isaacs is sanctioning political speeches at the ceremony which could make for an interesting show. Still the mood was not somber at the luncheon, and many nominees took the time to socialize. Isabelle Huppert and Michelle Williams caught up at the cocktail hour. Others did that while taking their places for the annual class photo. More favorite moments after the jump.
How many times did they move Ruth Negga around? First she was seen talking to Williams, then taking a spot at the top of the dais. However she ended up on a seat next to Justin Timberlake at the front for the class photo.
It takes a long time for more than 150 nominees to find their places on the dais, and it shows. Emma Stone and Natalie Portman are clearly bored while Matt Damon is trying on a serene face. Maybe move over Matt, and let the best actress contenders gab while they wait.
Octavia Spencer continues to be the most beloved person in any room she's in. Even Casey Affleck shows warmth we haven't seen from him this season.
In a sea of men in blue and grey, Viola Davis pops. As if she can ever be hidden. We are so excited it looks like she's definately winning the Oscar. She is Fences' only nomination at this weekend's BAFTA, however. Is there a chance for someone else from a more popular film, Naomie Harris or I, Daniel Blake's Hayley Squires, to sneak in for the win there?
The internet is head over heels in love with the awards season friendship between Dev Patel and Mahershala Ali. They clearly enjoyed each other at the luncheon.
Then there was this moment, at a campaign event in Santa Barbara the night before. Ali was urging people to check out Lion, and Patel couldn't but thank him with a hug to the "awwwws" of all of us.
What were some of your favorite moments from the luncheon? We accept pics and gifs.
Reader Comments (18)
Ruth Negga is the Lupita Nyong'o of this awards season: slaying it left and right with her daring, phenomenal fashion sense. More, please.
Wait, why was Matt Damon there? Am I missing something?
Oh, duh. Of course he produced Manchester by the Sea. Never mind.
No Dev Patel is.
Does anyone know who is sitting next to Mahershala Ali is (brown shoes)? I need to put it on the marriage licence!! WoW!
Poor Emma and Natalie. I'd be bored to death stuck sitting next to Matt Damon too.
Suddenly I'm having naughty thoughts about Dev and Mahershala. That's one bromance I can get behind.
Looks like Streep skipped this one?
The image of Casey Affleck and Octavia Spencer is the best of this blog since its beginning.
@mareko
Damon in the producer of Manchester. Nominated this year as a producer.
Nicole is fabulous right in the center. Benj Pasek has such a cute smile.
ADAM -- i dont know but i aim to find out!
NATHANIEL - Please do - and if you wouldn't mind passing on my number and contact details I'd be most grateful! Nick can have Bradford Young, I'm happy to have blue suit brown shoes man!
Adam and Nathaniel - I think he's a director of one of the animated shorts. Can't find which one.
Aw, Matt Damon didn't do his Matthew McConaughey impressions to make them laugh?
My world revolves around Isabelle Huppert.
His name is Andrew Coats, folks. He's the co-director of animated short nominee Borrowed Time.
I'll take Mahershala any day and all of you guys (and girls - I assume there are girls around) can keep his neighbor.
Octavia and Casey are too cute. Love it. Damn, but La Huppert is gorgeous.
OT, Mike Mills is married to Miranda July? How did I not know this...