The 2017 Academy Awards is just around the corner. As the Oscars event draws closer, some nominees are expressing their disdain.
Iranian director Asghar Farhadi who is nominated for Foreign Language Film for The Salesman wouldn't be able to show up at the said event due to President Donald Trump's new immigration order. The new immigration order was labeled by many as a "Muslim ban" because it temporarily bars entry to the United States for natives of seven Muslim-majority countries.
Fahardi refuses to attend the ceremony even if he's granted an exemption. He also mentioned that the conditions of the order are unacceptable.
This ban also stops the subjects of Documentary Short nominee The White Helmets who are Syrian volunteer rescue workers. It also stops several more people associated with various Oscar-nominated films from attending the event.
According to VOX, this is one more reason for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to cancel its annual ceremony and just announce the winners via simple press release instead. With this in mind, the Academy released a statement about the matter which reads:
The Academy celebrates achievement in the art of filmmaking, which seeks to transcend borders and speak to audiences around the world, regardless of national, ethnic, or religious differences. As supporters of filmmakers-and the human rights of all people-around the globe, we find it extremely troubling that Asghar Farhadi, the director of the Oscar-winning film from Iran A Separation, along with the cast and crew of this year's Oscar-nominated film The Salesman, could be barred from entering the country because of their religion or country of origin.
On other news, the tradition continues as Oscars 2017 producers Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd announced the first wave of presenters on Wednesday. Leonardo DiCaprio, Brie Larson, Alicia Vikander and Mark Rylance are on the list.
All of these actors won awards in 2016 and will be on stage during the Oscars 2017 at the Dolby Theatre on February 26. The other presenters are expected to be announced in the weeks to come.
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