Photo: Chinonye Chukwu/Instagram
TilldirectorChinonye Chukwuis sharing criticism against “unabashed misogyny towards Black women.”
“We live in a world and work in industries that are so aggressively committed to upholding whiteness and perpetuating an unabashed misogyny towards Black women,” the director wrote in a caption alongside the photo.
“And yet,” Chukwu continued in her caption. “I am forever in gratitude for the greatest lesson of my life - regardless of any challenges or obstacles, I will always have the power to cultivate my own joy, and it is this joy that will continue to be one of my greatest forms of resistance. ✊🏽”
ThoughTilldid not score any Oscar nominations Tuesday, the movie — which follows the true story ofEmmett Tilland his motherMamie Till-Mobley’s fight for justiceafter his murder in 1955 — has received nominations for lead actressDanielle Deadwylerat the upcomingScreen Actors Guild Awardsand 2023BAFTA Awards. Deadwyler also received the Gotham Award for Outstanding Lead Performance at the start of awards season late last year.
Black actors were shut out of the Best Actress Oscars race this year, including Viola Davis who had scored a Golden Globe and SAG Award nomination forThe Woman King, which received no nominations.
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty
Till’sabsence from 2023 Oscar nominations also highlights a year in whichno women were nominated for the Best DirectorAcademy Award, after a female director won the award in each of the previous two years.
Female directors shut out of the category whose films were nominated in other categories include Charlotte Wells (Aftersun) and Sarah Polley(Women Talking). Aside from Chukwu’sTill,Gina Prince-Bythewood’sThe Woman Kingand Maria Schrader’sShe Saidwere also not recognized.
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The lack of female nominees inthe Oscars' Best Director category comes afterJane Campionwon the award in 2022 forThe Power of the Dog,which made her the third woman to ever win Best Director.
Chloé Zhao was just thesecond woman ever to win the awardin 2021 when she won forNomadland, while Kathryn Bigelow made history with her win in 2010 forThe Hurt Locker.
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In December 2022, Chukwu toldThe Los Angeles TimesthatTill"is a story that is so deeply tied to our present reality."
“It is prioritizing a Black gaze. It is centering Black women,” she told the outlet. “It is also uplifting, showing love, joy and community alongside the inherent pain of being a Black person in the world. I was very excited about presenting this story in that way.”
source: people.com
