What’s in our stars?

Lubna Abdel-Aziz
Tuesday 21 Jan 2025

 

With joy in the air we cautiously bask in the light of hope. Our new year started with a bang, chasing out the woes of yesteryear.

Out in the Western West, a new president of the mighty land promises to bring happy times to come after the dismal incumbency of Joe Biden and his pathetic administration.

Forever flaunting his “art of the deal”, President Donald Trump, the master deal-maker, now adept peacemaker, may bring some respite to the shattered land of Gaza, hoping to tame the war-mongers of Israel. Joyful songs of hope try to bury the solemn sounds of grief, at last.

The economy is encouraged by plans to “drill, baby drill”, and oil will soon be plenty for US consumption and the rest of the world.

All seemed calm and cool when suddenly wildfires were raging in the City of Angels, tearing out all hearth and home.

The centre of the city was ripped out, destroying hundreds of homes, killing tens of people, displacing thousands of homeless, and millions or billions of dollars lost to the perennial wildfires of Los Angeles. Is this what they call Paradise Lost?

This is Hollywood — Tinsel Town. The tinsel is still burning.

Even more lamentable is Hollywood’s Awards Season which begins with the bright new year and profits thousands of careers in the most popular film industry worldwide. Not one but many award shows unfold to crown the achievers from superstars to humble labourers.

What about the show of shows that culminate with the dazzling gold of the Oscars? Who has the desire to strut its stuff of satin and lace on the red carpet, with hearts bleeding for loved ones?

The Oscars has been delayed twice, now scheduled for 2 March, hoping by then the dust will have settled, but who knows? Can the able peacemaker now deal with the forces of nature?

Unscathed are Britain’s BAFTA. The ceremony takes place on 16 February, thousands of miles away from Hollywood. Ironically, most of their films and filmstars are imported from Hollywood to shine in their London parade. Who among them will fly away from the rubble to celebrate with the Brits?

The enormity of the destruction snuffed out all festivities of Hollywood’s high season. Fortunately, the Golden Globes, second only to the Oscars in prestige, escaped their scheduled ceremony on 2 January. Hollywoodians were a happy bunch that night as they toasted and embraced each other, smiling and carousing. It was only two days later, while still recovering from their hangovers, flames struck down home after home. How can the show go on? How will the Oscars go on?

Announcements for nominations have been delayed until 23 January; the list is to be reported virtually, not in person, lest a smile is exposed.

Some wise Hollywood citizens considered cancelling the Oscars, out of respect for those who have lost so much. Many prefer to donate the proceeds to victims of the fires and firefighters, but the majority fell on deaf ears. The Academy Awards remain undeterred.

An Oscar brings in billions in revenues to its stars, sponsors, producers etc., for igniting the profits for yet another year. Hollywood folk are unable to forego the pursuit and greed for the almighty dollar, not to mention the splendid trappings of luxury and the unquenchable thirst for fame and glory. They may be saddened by the death and destruction, but not too sad to proceed with the greatest show on earth. They did, however, cancel the annual nominees’ luncheon.

What if they gave an Oscar ceremony and no one showed up? Not likely. Throughout its history only a handful of times Oscar was shaken, but never wavered.

So in the true spirit and traditions of show business and despite the sober voices of opposition and withdrawals of key figures from among their ranks, the “wicked” feast must go on — and so it will.

Oscar has confronted many wars but never flinched.

In 1941, president of the academy Bette Davis suggested that the ceremony should be held in a regular theatre, with ticket sales replacing invitations and to offer the proceeds to the war effort. She recommended the stars wear street clothes instead of glamorous gowns and tuxedos in deference to the tragic loss of lives, homes, buildings, and schools.

Davis was rejected and asked to submit her resignation.

What Oscar wants, Oscar gets. Much is at stake financially, therefore they will ride the tide, and roll along as it always does, except for its conception in 1938, when extreme floods covered the city. An Oscar show has never been cancelled, not for WWII, Korea, Vietnam, 9/11, Covid-19, not now, not ever.

Rather than subdued by the catastrophe, members of the academy are in fervent preparations for the greatest campaign in history. It is not for this year or next year but in 2028, in honour of the 100th anniversary of the academy. A global ceremony will be awed by the wonders of Hollywood and the gilded boy called Oscar.

As for now, Hollywood hearts are full of deep despair and sad regrets, as they march forward to the ceremony, hidden behind smiles of courage and defiance.

Will they have a less frivolous show, tone down their bling bling and razzle dazzle reflecting the soberness and seriousness of the situation?

One thing we do know — the stars will be big and bright for Oscar night.     

 

“With fame I become more and more stupid, which of course is a very common phenomenon.”

Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

 


* A version of this article appears in print in the 23 January, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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