The Oscars’ fleeting tribute to Ukraine was just a series of written text

The Oscars telecast noticed a second of silence Sunday in solidarity with Ukraine as Russian forces proceed to invade the nation.

“We’d prefer to have a second of silence to indicate our assist for the individuals of Ukraine at the moment going through invasion, battle and prejudice inside their very own boundaries,” a title card learn halfway by this system.

“Whereas movie is a crucial avenue for us to specific our humanity in occasions of battle, the truth is tens of millions of households in Ukraine want meals, medical care, clear water, and emergency companies. Sources are scarce, and we — collectively as a worldwide group — can do extra.”

A 3rd slide then requested viewers to “assist Ukraine in any means you’re able” whereas sharing the hashtag #StandWithUkraine. Instantly after the Oscars’ assertion appeared, a Crypto.com advert stated the corporate could be matching donations to “alleviate the humanitarian disaster in Ukraine.”’

In a red-carpet interview with Selection, Oscars producer Will Packer confirmed that the present would acknowledge the struggle in Ukraine, which has been underneath assault since late February.

“An evening like tonight — it’s about enjoyable. It’s about revelry, however we’re so grateful … to have the ability to even placed on an evening like this,” Packer advised Variety forward of the present.

“So we actually are going to have an acknowledgement of the tumultuous occasions that we’re in proper now and the individuals of Ukraine, so once you watch you’ll see.”

Additionally on the crimson carpet, a number of celebrities paid homage to Ukraine by carrying blue-and-gold accents. Among the many stars who confirmed their assist outdoors the Dolby Theatre had been Jamie Lee Curtis, Diane Warren, Jason Momoa and Yuh-Jung Youn.

Earlier this week, Oscars co-host Amy Schumer made headlines by suggesting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ought to take part within the Oscars broadcast.

“I’m not afraid to go there,” she advised talk-show host Drew Barrymore, “however it’s not me producing the Oscars.”

In a current interview with CNN, actor Sean Penn seconded Schumer’s movement and even threatened to “smelt” his personal Oscars trophies if Zelensky was not included within the present. Penn, who received Oscars for “Mystic River” and “Milk,” has been in Europe filming a documentary about Russia’s assault on Ukraine.

“There’s nothing larger that the Academy Awards may do than to offer Zelensky that chance to speak to all of us,” Penn advised CNN.

In response to the Oscars’ second of silence Sunday, one individual tweeted, “One thing tells me that’s not gonna be ok for Sean Penn.”

“yeah that’s not sufficient babes,” wrote one other. “persons are actually being slaughtered rn and also you actually chosen silence and passiveness.”

Others questioned why actor Mila Kunis — who’s of Ukrainian descent and has raised greater than $35 million for Ukrainian aid alongside together with her husband, Ashton Kutcher — didn’t instantly point out Ukraine whereas presenting unique track nominee “Someway You Do” from the movie “4 Good Days.”

Additionally they puzzled why the movie academy has failed to indicate the identical degree of sympathy for individuals residing in different, non-European international locations which have been ravaged by struggle lately.

“Latest world occasions have left many people feeling gutted,” Kunis stated.

“But once you witness the energy and dignity of these going through such devastation, it’s not possible to not be moved by their resilience. One can not assist however be in awe of those that discover energy to maintain combating by unimaginable darkness.”

See extra reactions to the portion of the telecast devoted to Ukraine beneath.