The Awards Season

An Actress at her Toilet.

When actors and actresses and film makers are honored.

Lots of talk online about the Golden Globes and the Oscars - I like both awards shows, but I prefer the Globes, which I watched last Sunday instead of Downton Abbey.

Many popular writers devote space on their sites to critique films, actors, directors, and their awards.  Don't forget the fashions.  In turn, the writers who post stories on the subject can be criticized for being superficial - even when they decide it is important to discuss the merits of those who receive such awards as a Lifetime Achievement Award for their work.  Simcha Fisher devoted a post to this important topic, asking "What About Art Made by Monsters?"

I guess Woody Allen is a monster?

I'm not sure all the rumors about Woody are true.  If they are, his perversion is not unprecedented in Hollywood; Errol Flynn and his buddies fooled around with kids, and don't forget Roman Polanski's exile from the United States is on account of child molestation charges.  I'm not defending the behavior - just pointing out a fact.  Hollywood people "are pigs" - as Katherine Hepburn stated in an interview once.  And Mia Farrow is pretty strange herself - after all, she married Woody - and at one time, while still very young herself, married a much older Frank Sinatra.  Last time I read anything on Farrow, she was still unsure if one of her sons was Sinatra's.

That said, actors and theater people have always had a bad reputation.  Throughout history actors were associated with drunkards, harlots and Sodomites, most were considered immoral, right down there with vagabonds and gypsies.  In Medieval times, they could be refused Christian burial.  Even in the 20th Century it was rare to find an actor or actress acclaimed for their grace and virtue.  The moral standards of Hollywood in the age of the Legion of Decency was pretty much a cover up for scandal and bad behavior.  When scandals became public, stars were suspended, yet box office stardom and celebrity shot up.  We've made actors and filmmakers into celebrities, and grant them reputations and status as artists and philosophers - and some of them may be.  We expect them to be saints, indeed, they seem to have taken the place of saints in contemporary pop culture, some we make into idols - but they're just people, and more often than not, they are rarely acclaimed for virtuous living.

The awards shows are important for the industry not only for ratings, but to keep the industry afloat by hyping new films.  Amongst peers, the awards are recognition for artistic achievement.  Writing, acting, directing, and especially cinematography and CGI is an art form.  The players are not role models of virtuous living.  They are actors.  It's their job.  In addition to monetary compensation and success, they seek applause and approval for what they do - that's why they have awards.

Bloggers and journalists can be just like film people - they make up awards for themselves and write articles to drive stats and personal income.



Incidentally, Woody Allen never shows up for awards.  He doesn't care.

Gina Lollobrigida meeting Paul VI.

In 1957 both Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren

were designated 'public sinners' by the Vatican.