Experience at the Oscars and Its Hidden Secrets(Part 2) 

"Celluloid Heroes" Having Difficulties Taking Sides in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

On the day of the awards ceremony 11 years ago at noon, I witnessed a lone protester, who was opposing the onscreen American Dream, at the intersection across the street from Dolby Theatre. The film that was comparable to today's most prominent biopic "Oppenheimer" that year was Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln." The elderly protester publicly condemned Spielberg, while holding a sign that read "Lincoln was a dictator, racist, war criminal!" A black woman who seemed to be working in the film industry engaged in a heated argument with him.

"Are you dissatisfied with (Abraham) Lincoln or Spielberg, the Jew?" the lady set a trap.

"Both, our country is ruled by Jews," the old man responded, exposing his anti-Semitic stance.

I boldly approached him and, after having a few words with him, I learned that he had written many fringe historical texts researching the alleged evils of Lincoln. "This dictator was the real racist against black people, and the ships involved in the slave trade were almost entirely owned by Jews. Now, a Jewish director comes to whitewash this embarrassing history. Similarly, the Oscars are awarded by Jews – our 'Jewish government' is busy sending gifts to their 'Israeli masters' with movies like 'Django Unchained,' 'Zero Dark Thirty,' and 'Argo.' Osama Bin Laden died in December 2001; he had nothing to do with planning the 9/11 attacks. Jews are gradually disintegrating the Muslim world, and now it's Iran's turn. I feel shame for Ben Affleck."

Of course, no one at the scene supported his equally "racist" views.

And today, the international issue that continues to severely divide the American society is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Supporters and opponents are also highly likely to appear both in and outside the awards ceremony venue.

Although the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild successively ended their protracted historic Hollywood strikes in October and November last year, immediately afterward, internal divisions within the guilds emerged due to differing stances on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. For a long time, Hollywood has been perceived globally as a supporter of Israel, due to the leading role played by "Schindler's List." However, from the academic and commercial sectors to the streets of cities, the world beyond the big screen has witnessed a growing and intense wave of sympathy and support for the plight of Palestinians.

Certainly, this has also affected the film industry. The Writers Guild of America that initiated the strike did not join the move involving over 700 entertainment figures, led by Israeli actress Gal Gadot, in condemning Hamas' actions as "evil and barbaric." Perhaps the writers, who laid the solid foundation for cinematic works, are more concerned about the current audience's perspectives and sentiments and find it challenging to take a side. After all, in today's diverse entertainment landscape, people can live without watching movies, and they are less easily swayed by Hollywood narratives.

I still remember 11 years ago, the police set up a protection zone before the awards ceremony that extended across several blocks. Batman cosplayers could no longer stand in front of Michael Jackson's handprints in Hollywood Boulevard, force tourists into taking photos with them and solicit tips from them. Instead, they could only arrange to meet with Captain America and Spider-Man impersonators, who were also "off duty," at a nearby Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market to embark on a grand shopping spree a day ahead of their Sunday TV marathon of the Oscars Red Carpet and various sports events. Beers, salads, steaks, and microwaveable foods were their essential weekend supplies. Just then, they chanced upon their on-screen counterparts, the Joker and killers from the "Scream" series, who were also shopping at the same supermarket. The cosplayers of these characters took off their masks and put away their plastic knives. Instead of dealing with photo-taking passers-by, they would now push their shopping carts into the supermarket to get their groceries, pay for them with their credit cards at the checkout counters, and load them onto their car trunks.

On the other side of the Walk of Fame, shops selling Hollywood souvenirs were closed. A pair of lesbian partners, pushing their adopted child in a pram, stood in front of the names of Shrek and Hugh Jackman. They propped up cardboard cutouts of these characters in the gentle breeze to capture this starry moment for their child.

Having seen through the Hollywood game, Joan Jett sings in "Celluloid Heroes," "And if you walk down Hollywood Boulevard, their names are written in concrete. Don't tread on Greta Garbo… But stand close by Bette Davis, because hers was such a lonely life… Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain. Celluloid heroes never really die."