Steven Spielberg is working hard…but not on a new movie. He’s working to ensure that Netflix original films like Roma, won’t be eligible for future Academy Awards.
The film, from director Alfonso Cuaron, was the first ever from a streaming platform to be nominated for Best Picture, and while it didn’t take home the big award of the night at the Oscars last week, it did win for Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film and Best Cinematography.
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The legendary director, who serves as the Academy Governor of the directors branch, has previously expressed outcry against films from streaming services receiving nominations and the same treatment as theatrically released films during award season.
Now, he’s apparently prepared to speak about the issue at the annual-post Oscars meeting — where he will make his case to the entire Board of Governors.
A spokesperson from his production company Amblin Partners revealed more in a statement to IndieWire:
“Steven feels strongly about the difference between the streaming and theatrical situation. He’ll be happy if the others will join [his campaign] when that comes up [at the Academy Board of Governors meeting]. He will see what happens.”
Wow!
So he’s really going for it, isn’t he?!
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Social media was NOT kind to him about this decision, to say the least — and all day on Saturday, Spielberg has been getting BLASTED over his opinions on streaming services!!
Ch-ch-check out some reactions from film fans on Twitter (below):
Forget Spielberg and Netflix.
How to fix the Oscars in one step: introduce a Best Kiss category you cowards pic.twitter.com/nTaBHhBSWp
— Joanna Robinson (@jowrotethis) March 2, 2019
It is very funny that the awards season beneficiary of this Spielberg/Netflix ideological showdown was GREEN BOOK, a film about which no one would say, “You have to see it in a cinema!”
— Guy Lodge (@GuyLodge) March 2, 2019
When did Steven Spielberg become such a whiny little bitch? https://t.co/axefw5HfV1
— Noise From a Sunless World (@Scar_LiT) March 2, 2019
Beyond ironic from a director who launched his film career in 1971 with DUEL, a made-for-TV movie that only later got a theatrical release RT @LaFamiliaFilm: Steven Spielberg is gunning to make sure Netflix never has another Oscars contender like Romahttps://t.co/xqojqW6nD8
— Tiffany Leigh (@tiffanyleigh) March 2, 2019
Taking a family of 4 to see a single movie could easily cost more than an entire year subscription to #Netflix. Sorry, #Spielberg but the average consumer isn't feeling your elitism.
— Cabowabo522 (@Cabowabo522) March 2, 2019
"Your book shouldn't be eligible for an award unless it was published as a hardcover by a Big Five publisher."
See how fucking dumb and elitist that sounds, Spielberg? Quality is quality regardless of its origin and it should receive equal recognition. Now stop yelling at clouds.— Gabino Iglesias (@Gabino_Iglesias) March 2, 2019
Wow!!
Stop yelling at clouds, indeed!!!
What do you think of his proposal, Perezcious readers? Sound off with your thoughts (below)!!
[Image via Netflix & Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.]
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