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Oscars 'Class of 2019' picture boasts largest number of female nominees ever

Oscars Class of 2019 (Credit: <span>Todd Wawrychuk/A.M.P.A.S.)</span>
Oscars Class of 2019 (Credit: Todd Wawrychuk/A.M.P.A.S.)

The annual Oscars Luncheon happened in Los Angeles yesterday, coming with it the Class of 2019 photograph of all the (available) nominees assembled.

In it, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is looking at the biggest field of women nominees in history, which is a pretty pleasing statistic.

“This year has the largest class of women nominees. Far from parity, and of course we need to do better. Gender parity is an industry matter, not just an Academy matter,” said Oscar president John Bailey.

“Inclusion, diversity, racial, ethnic and gender equality are not just buzzwords. They go to the heart of what our Academy is doing.”

Sadly not present were key nominees Olivia Colman and Emma Stone (and Adam Driver and Kendrick Lamar), due to previous engagements, Colman’s likely being filming the latest series of The Crown for Netflix.

As Bailey acknowledged, the situation is still far from perfect.

No female directors were nominated in the Best Director category, including Mareille Heller, despite her movie Can You Ever Forgive Me? racking up nominations in several other categories.

Similarly, there are no Best Picture nominations made by female directors.

But still, it’s a step towards better equality in the movie business, as is the role call of guest award presenters on the night, including Awkwafina and Constance Wu from Crazy Rich Asians, Whoopi Goldberg, Jennifer Lopez, Amandla Stenberg, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Tessa Thompson, and Brie Larson, who are all booked to appear.

There were some other takeaways from this year’s school photo, of course.

The director and producers of Dick Cheney biopic Vice all appeared to be about to burst into song.

(Credit: Todd Wawrychuk/A.M.P.A.S.)
(Credit: Todd Wawrychuk/A.M.P.A.S.)

Viggo Mortensen threw up an unexpected peace sign.

(Credit: Todd Wawrychuk/A.M.P.A.S.)
(Credit: Todd Wawrychuk/A.M.P.A.S.)

Sam Rockwell channelled Lex Luthor.

(Credit: Todd Wawrychuk/A.M.P.A.S.)
(Credit: Todd Wawrychuk/A.M.P.A.S.)

Despite being the presence of Lady Gaga’s sartorial greatness, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige refused to take off his hat (as per).

(Credit: Todd Wawrychuk/A.M.P.A.S.)
(Credit: Todd Wawrychuk/A.M.P.A.S.)

And Taxi Driver scribe Paul Schrader totally nodded off.

(Credit: Todd Wawrychuk/A.M.P.A.S.)
(Credit: Todd Wawrychuk/A.M.P.A.S.)

The Oscars happens on February 24.

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