Here’s how the director of “Moonlight” reacted to THAT Oscars mishap
Following *THAT* moment at last night’s Academy Awards, Barry Jenkins, the director of Moonlight has spoken out about what happened.
Despite having an illustrious history spanning nearly 90 years, a mix up like what happened yesterday night (February 26th) has never happened at the Oscars. While presenting the award for Best Picture, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway accidentally announced the *wrong* movie had won the award. It appears that Beatty was handed the wrong envelope before heading on stage. Clearly confused about what had happened, he took his time to announce the winner, before Faye Dunaway wrongly announced that La La Land had won best picture.
Watch: Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway in the biggest #Oscars flub ever. pic.twitter.com/BjBXrX7gi0
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 27, 2017
Following the announcement that there had been a mishap, the cast and crew of La La Land handed over their awards to the cast and crew of Moonlight, with director Barry Jenkins taking to the podium to accept the award where he apparently couldn’t believe that his movie had picked up the prestigious award.
'Moonlight' director Barry Jenkins can't believe it, either #Oscars pic.twitter.com/6r1Ar8p9in
— Mashable (@mashable) February 27, 2017
In the winners room backstage, Jenkins also responded to the mishap, and what he said is so full of class.
When asked for a reaction to what had just occurred, the Moonlight-director said:
“I think all the movies that were nominated were worthy,” Jenkins said. “I accepted the result and applauded like everyone else. I noticed the commotion that was happening and I thought that something strange had occurred. I’m sure everyone saw my face, but I was speechless when the result was altered. I’ve watched the Academy Awards – I’ve never seen that happen before.
“It made a very special feeling even more special, but not in the way I expected.”
"Moonlight" director Barry Jenkins on what he was thinking during that Best Picture mix-up: "I was speechless." (Watch) #Oscars pic.twitter.com/e4nhkKjMrf
— Variety (@Variety) February 27, 2017
Jenkins also went on to say that he hadn’t been given an explanation as to why La La Land was wrongly named first.
“No explanation. Things just happen, you know?” he said. “I will say that I saw two cards but things just happen. I wanted to see the card, and Warren refused to show the card to anybody before he showed it to me. So he did. He came up stairs and walked over to me, and he showed the card. Everybody was asking and he was like ‘No, Barry Jenkins has to see the card; I need him to know.'”
Barry Jenkins also spoke about how “gracious” La La Land had been following the mix up.
“I will say that the folks from La La Land were so gracious,” Jenkins admitted. “I can’t imagine being in their position and having to do that. I wasn’t speechless because we won. I was speechless because it was so gracious of them to do that. The card said: ‘Best Picture: Moonlight.'”
"Moonlight" director Barry Jenkins still hasn't received an explanation about that Best Picture flub (Watch) #Oscars pic.twitter.com/xn1zxGfGrr
— Variety (@Variety) February 27, 2017
It’s still unclear what actually occurred during last night’s Oscars mix up, with the Academy yet to make a statement regarding the incident.
Regardless, it’s so great to see incredible people supporting incredible art, and we have to agree with Jenkins that the group from La La Land were indeed very gracious.
