• Rss Feed
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Search
Skip to content
Visit Sponsor
Seattle Gay Scene
  • Home
  • News
  • Arts &
    Entertainment
  • Nightlife
  •  Living
  • Geek
  • Calendar
Home *Seattle CinemalandOscar’s Moonlight Madness!!!!

Oscar’s Moonlight Madness!!!!

February 27, 2017• byMichael Strangeways
Out gay playwright/screenwriter Tarell Alvin McCraney and director/screenwriter Barry Jenkins accept the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2016 Academy Awards on Sunday, February 26, 2017.

Out gay playwright/screenwriter Tarell Alvin McCraney and director/screenwriter Barry Jenkins accept the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2016 Academy Awards on Sunday, February 26, 2017.

Oh, my….

That was the reaction worldwide to last night’s 89th Academy Awards ceremony on ABC. The biggest surprise was the very last award given, when presenters and Hollywood icons Warren Beatty and his “Bonnie & Clyde ” leading lady Faye Dunaway appeared onstage to present the award for Best Picture. The duo were given the wrong envelope and after Beatty opened the envelope, he was rather surprised to find it was announcing actress Emma Stone’s win in the Best Actress category for the film “La La Land” and not the winner of Best Picture. Dunaway failed to notice the discrepancy and announced that “La La Land” had won best picture and the triumphant crew and cast descended on stage to accept the award. But chaos ensued backstage/behind the scenes as Academy officials and Oscar producers realized the wrong film had been announced as the winner of Best Picture: the indie darling “Moonlight” was the actual winner. Midway through the acceptance speeches from the “La La Land” team that error was rectified and a stunned “Moonlight” team descended onstage to accept their award.

The press, social media and the world exploded for the next few hours as this historic blunder in Oscar history was relayed around the globe with much sympathy for the “La La Land” team for being embarrassed on international TV (but they also won the most awards of the evening so could take consolation in that) while cheering on the success of underdog “Moonlight” the very highly praised film that centered on black queer characters. That film also won Oscars for Best Adapted Screenplay which awarded the film’s co-writers: director Barry Jenkins and out gay playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney; the film’s script was based on McCraney’s play, “In Moonlight, Black Boys Look Blue”. LGBTQ audiences were moved by McCraney’s acceptance speech where he stated:

“This goes out to all those black and brown boys and girls and non-gender conforming who don’t see themselves. We’re trying to show you you and us. So thank you, thank you, this is for you.” – Tarell Alvin McCraney

“Moonlight” actor Mahershala Ali also became the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar for his supporting role in the film.

Acting Siblings Alexis and Patricia Arquette

Acting Siblings Alexis and Patricia Arquette

There was also some annoyance that transgender/queer actor ALEXIS ARQUETTE wasn’t recognized in the “In Memoriam” segment of the show which honors film professionals who died during the previous year. The actor and activist died last year from complications of living with HIV/AIDS and had appeared in many films including a memorable role in “Pulp Fiction”. Arquette’s sister, Academy Award winning actor Patricia Arquette was disappointed her sister wasn’t included. Patricia was thrilled to see “Moonlight receive recognition but also commented on the omission. Via Vanity Fair:

The Oscar winner tells Vanity Fair that the film’s victory is heartening to see, especially in light of the bigotry that still exists in the world: “This beautiful story about a gay kid in America in a world that doesn’t accept gay people.” But Arquette also wondered why, when recognizing this stunning achievement of queer cinema—scratch that, of filmmaking, period—the Oscars chose to leave her sister out of the ceremony’s In Memoriam segment.

”Her career was cut short, not by her passing, but by her decision to live her truth and her life as a transgender woman. Despite the fact that there are few parts for trans actors, she refused to play roles that were demeaning or stereotypical. She was a vanguard in the fight for understanding and acceptance for all trans people.”

“We’re living in a time right now where trans kids can’t even go to the bathroom in schools and they’re diminished in society. It’s really unfortunate that the Oscars decided they couldn’t show a trans person who was such an important person in this community. Because—trans kids—it could have meant a lot to them.”

There was other issues with the “In Memoriam” segment this year as well when an incorrect photo was used to represent one of the deceased being honored. Jan Chapman, the Oscar nominated producer of the film, “The Piano” was stunned to see a photo of her very much alive self used during the segment but captioned with the name of her colleague, Janet Patterson, the costume designer on “The Piano” who actually did die in 2016. Ms Chapman issued a statement  via Variety, where she pointed out the mistake and made it clear she’s still alive and kicking.

(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)

About the Author: Michael Strangeways

As the Editorial Director/Co-Owner, Michael Strangeways writes, edits and does about a million other jobs for Seattle Gay Scene, Puget Sound's most visited LGBTQ news, arts and entertainment website now celebrating its 14th year as a media outlet. A semi-proud Midwesterner by birth, he's lived in Seattle since 2000. He's also a film producer who would like you to check out the Jinkx Monsoon documentary, "Drag Becomes Him" now available on Amazon.com. In his spare time, he gets slightly obsessive about his love for old movies, challenging theater, "otters", vodka, chocolate, "I,Claudius", Lizzie Borden, real books made out of paper, disaster films, show tunes, Weimar era Germany, flea markets, pop surrealistic art, the sex lives of Hollywood actors both living and dead, kitties, chicken fried steak, haute couture and David Bowie. But, not necessarily in that order.

Related Posts

*Seattle Theaterland • Arts & Entertainment • Arts News • News • Queer Theater • Stage

ACT’s Gay Themed “Choir Boy” Opens Their 2022/2023 Season

It’s a production we’ve wanted to see for several years

...

*Seattle Cinemaland • Arts & Entertainment • Arts News • Film • Film Events • Film Festivals • News • Queer Film • Queer News • Seattle News • Seattle Queer Film • Seattle Transgender Scene • Streaming Cinema • Three Dollar Bill Cinema • Trans* Arts & Entertainment • Trans* Events

Translations Film Festival Kicks Off This Thursday!

The 16th annual Translations Film Festival is back for its

...

*Beefcake Babylon • *Seattle Cinemaland • Arts & Entertainment

Zexy Movie Comedy “Diamantino” Screens Next Week

  We’re not sure what to make of DIAMANTINO, a

...

*Seattle Theaterland • Arts & Entertainment • Award Worthy • Infotainment • Queer Theater • Stage • Television

LGBTQ Theater Does Well With Tony Award Nominations

The 73rd annual Tony Award nominations, honoring excellence in the

...

*Seattle Cinemaland • *The Strangeways Report • Arts & Entertainment • Award Worthy • Books • Books We Love • Film • Gay 101 • Hollywoodland • Home & Garden • Home Decor / Interior Design • Living • Photography • Readings & Lectures • Real Estate

The “Call Me By Your Name” Villa Is For Sale

Who is buying it for me? I neeeeeeeeeeeed it!!!!!!!! A

...

*Seattle Cinemaland • Arts & Entertainment • Capitol Hill News • Film • Film Events • Film Festivals • Gay 101 • News • Queer - Asian Pacific Islander • Queer - Latinx • Queer - South Asia • Queer Film • Seattle Lesbian Scene • Seattle Transgender Scene • Trans* Arts & Entertainment • Trans* Events • Women's Arts • Women's Events

Queer Film “Signature Move” Opens Seattle Asian American Film Festival

The 6th annual Seattle Asian American Film Festival kicks off

...

Previous: Review: 5th Avenue’s Steamy “Pajama Game” Succeeds
Next: Idiots At Logo/VH1 Move RPDR To Fridays Starting March 24

Comments are closed.

  • Rss Feed
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Search

Seattle Gay Scene

SEATTLE GAY SCENE is Seattle’s Leading LGBT community website, and most visited calendar in the region.

We also proudly serve as media sponsors for a number of amazing local organizations, including: Gay City Health Project, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, SIFF, Three Dollar Bill Cinema, Qulture Qreative & Hard Times Press, NARK Magazine and Bacon Strip to help bring some of the most exciting live events and entertainment in the city.

Top Categories

  • Music
  • Community
  • Drag O’Tainment
  • Seattle Lesbian Scene
  • Stuff to Do

Recent Comments

  1. Noah Nguyen on Runway Drag Brunch @ Taqueria Cantina (Downtown)
  2. Michael Strangeways on Review: Seattle Rep’s “Mr. Dickens and His Carol” Is A Christmas Dirge
  3. A L Darling on Review: Seattle Rep’s “Mr. Dickens and His Carol” Is A Christmas Dirge

About Us

  • Our Team
  • Advertise on SGS!
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2023 | Seattle Gay Scene
  • Our Team
  • Advertise on SGS!
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Close Search Window
↑