I spend a lot of time on Twitter and I see tons of amazing dialogue and reflections. Twitter Thread of the Day is a feature on my blog where I’ll try to share one thread that was particularly interesting, smart, moving, or impactful for me. Go here to read past editions of Twitter Thread of the Day.
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Today we have two Twitter threads: culture writers Ira Madison III and Myles McNutt both had some insights to share about the Moonlight/La La Land fiasco at the Oscars, and the resulting narrative that has intertwined both films (rightfully or wrongfully). This narrative is best exemplified by a recent Variety cover story featuring directors Barry Jenkins and Damien Chazelle.
Let’s begin with Madison’s:
I will never get over Moonlight effectively having to share its narrative with La La Land pic.twitter.com/GGAmFjQORM
— Ira Madison III (@ira) March 1, 2017
Yeah it was a snafu but it also forever cements La La Land in cinema history in a way it should have to do on its own merits
— Ira Madison III (@ira) March 1, 2017
I sincerely doubt if La La Land won they’d be sharing covers and headlines with Moonlight
— Ira Madison III (@ira) March 1, 2017
I know we all made a lot of jokes about La La Land and most were just jokes, I actually enjoyed the film (my critique of it even says so)
— Ira Madison III (@ira) March 1, 2017
But the media focus since Sunday night has been so depressing.
— Ira Madison III (@ira) March 1, 2017
More than blackness and the second black film to win an Oscar (the first was a slave film), it’s the first LGBT one.
— Ira Madison III (@ira) March 1, 2017
Moonlight’s win is historic and should be treated as such but instead, we have to hear about white grace.
— Ira Madison III (@ira) March 1, 2017
Historically, Variety highlights a Oscar winner in their post show covers. It’s been Best Director and Best Cinematographer past three. pic.twitter.com/RYtI5XWquG
— Ira Madison III (@ira) March 1, 2017
I don’t know if there’s anything more historic this week than Moonlight’s win. Could’ve gone with tradition and put just Chazelle on cover.
— Ira Madison III (@ira) March 1, 2017
Maybe he wanted Barry to be included. I still say Moonlight’s win trumps anything else and it should be highlighted. But that’s just me.
— Ira Madison III (@ira) March 1, 2017
Anyway, I just wish more outlets particularly Hollywood’s focused on Moonlight and not Moonlight plus one
— Ira Madison III (@ira) March 1, 2017
Next, McNutt responds with his own thoughts on this issue:
I have a LOT of thoughts on the way we’re talking about #Oscars narratives this morning, so bear with me for a second. https://t.co/E0mxRWEIgV
— Myles McNutt (@Memles) March 1, 2017
First: I fundamentally agree that the way the #Oscars ended muddled #Moonlight’s narrative, and it deserves singular recognition.
— Myles McNutt (@Memles) March 1, 2017
However, the #Oscars are often—if not always—built on shared narratives, especially when there is split in Picture/Director.
— Myles McNutt (@Memles) March 1, 2017
#Oscars season always consists of multiple, often interlinked narratives, unless there is a legitimate sweep (e.g. Titanic, ROTK).
— Myles McNutt (@Memles) March 1, 2017
Even if not for the ending being botched, the #LaLaLand narrative was still going to be significant: it won 6 #Oscars, including Director.
— Myles McNutt (@Memles) March 1, 2017
The @Variety cover story is getting flak, but as @jowrotethis pointed out earlier, this is a Best Director’s cover historically. #Oscars
— Myles McNutt (@Memles) March 1, 2017
Obviously, climate around the #Oscars in light of diversity concerns casts any shared narratives in a more complicated light. I get that.
— Myles McNutt (@Memles) March 1, 2017
But the idea #Moonlight winning under normal circumstances would have (or should have) erased a #LaLaLand narrative rings false. #Oscars
— Myles McNutt (@Memles) March 1, 2017
If anything, @Variety is demonstrating how #LaLaLand‘s narrative is now unable to stand alone, rather than arguing #Moonlight‘s cannot.
— Myles McNutt (@Memles) March 1, 2017
Yes, the “Amazing Grace” headline is a mess, but the actual story – are we reading the story? – is framed more effectively. #Oscars
— Myles McNutt (@Memles) March 1, 2017