Directors of all five Oscar-nominated foreign-language films band together to offer 'emphatic disapproval' of nationalism

Why wait for Sunday to make a statement?Directors of the five Oscar-nominated foreign-language films have gotten a jump on what is expected to be a flood of political remarks at the upcoming Academy Awards, issuing a statement Friday that condemned nationalist...

26 February 2017 Sunday 18:42
64 Reads
Directors of all five Oscar-nominated foreign-language films band together to offer 'emphatic disapproval' of nationalism

Why wait for Sunday to make a statement?

Directors of the five Oscar-nominated foreign-language films have gotten a jump on what is expected to be a flood of political remarks at the upcoming Academy Awards, issuing a statement Friday that condemned nationalist politics and dedicated the prize to those who fight against them.

“On behalf of all nominees, we would like to express our unanimous and emphatic disapproval of the climate of fanaticism and nationalism we see today in the U.S. and in so many other countries, in parts of the population and, most unfortunately of all, among leading politicians,” the statement began.

“Regardless of who wins the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film on Sunday,” the statement continued, “we refuse to think in terms of borders. We believe there is no best country, best gender, best religion or best color. We want this award to stand as a symbol of the unity between nations and the freedom of the arts,” adding: “Human rights are not something you have to apply for. They simply exist — for everybody.”

It also said the prize, whoever won it, would be regarded as a tribute to those who are lobbying for these values. “We dedicate this award to all the people, artists, journalists and activists who are working to foster unity and understanding, and who uphold freedom of expression and human dignity — values whose protection is now more important than ever,” it said. The statement did not mention Donald Trump by name.

The letter was signed by the directors of the five nominated films — Martin Zandvliet (Denmark’s “Land of Mine”), Hannes Holm (Sweden’s “A Man Called Ove”), Martin Butler and Bentley Dean (Australia’s “Tanna”), Asghar Farhadi’s (Iran’s “The Salesman”) and Maren Ade (Germany’s “Toni Erdmann”). It represented an unusual move. It’s rare for all the nominees of a given category to band together, let alone before the ceremony.

Farhadi had previously made his own statement of sorts by saying he wouldn’t attend the Oscars in protest of Trump’s ban on some travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries, including his native Iran. He is instead attending a screening of his film in London.

With a diverse set of backgrounds, foreign-language directors are expected to be some of the most vocal personalities Sunday about the new administration. Some of their home countries have been grappling with the rise of nationalism as well.

Most of the films are not explicitly political, though “Land of Mine” does explore national tensions in Europe in the days after World War II.

Full coverage: Oscars 2017 »

Kenneth Turan and Justin Chang chat about the 2017 Academy Awards, and which movie might win for best picture.

Kenneth Turan and Justin Chang chat about the 2017 Academy Awards, and which movie might win for best picture.

Kenneth Turan and Justin Chang chat about the 2017 Academy Awards, and which movie might win for best picture.

Kenneth Turan and Justin Chang chat about the 2017 Academy Awards, and which movie might win for best picture.

This is what the Governors Ball will look like after the 89th Academy Awards ceremony.

This is what the Governors Ball will look like after the 89th Academy Awards ceremony.

Highlights from the 2017 Grammy Awards at the Staples Center.

Highlights from the 2017 Grammy Awards at the Staples Center.

Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein nominee for Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media

Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein nominee for Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media

Adele tearfully thanked Beyonce while accepting her album of the year award for "25."

Adele tearfully thanked Beyonce while accepting her album of the year award for "25."

steve.zeitchik@latimes.com

Twitter: @ZeitchikLAT

ALSO

Two prominent Iranian Americans will represent Asghar Farhadi at Sunday's Oscars

'What can cinema do?' Travel ban puts Oscar nominees for foreign-language film in the spotlight

Asghar Farhadi's new film goes deep into shame and vengeance in Iran

Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.