An Oscar for a fire-singed Hollywood
The wildfires that have swept through whole communities in Los Angeles this month have kindled notable generosity. Disney and Google have pledged millions in relief and recovery funds. Several A-list actors have given from their private fortunes. Now the Hollywood movie industry is adding its own contribution.
On Thursday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced its annual award nominations and plans to go forward with the Oscars ceremony March 2. But instead of showcasing songs from the movies during the event, the Academy will highlight the inspiration behind the music with personal reflections of songwriters.
鈥淲e will reflect on the recent events while highlighting the strength, creativity, and optimism that defines Los Angeles and our industry,鈥� wrote academy leaders Bill Kramer and Janet Yang. In other words, the city鈥檚 trials by fire will put a renewed focus on the essence of Hollywood.
鈥淩ebuilding is not just about money,鈥� Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, told The New York Times. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about ingenuity and determination.鈥�
Others have offered to revive the city鈥檚 creativity. 鈥淲hen it鈥檚 safe to reopen our offices in LA, we plan to offer YouTube production facilities to impacted creators and artists as they begin to recover and rebuild their businesses,鈥� wrote Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube, which is owned by Google, on the company鈥檚 blog.
When disasters strike in the world, Hollywood often isn鈥檛 far behind. In its more sober approaches to storytelling, it demonstrates the unique ability of film to evoke empathy. The movie 鈥淧atriots Day鈥� offered a sensitive portrait of Boston鈥檚 response to the 2013 marathon bombing. In 鈥淭he Impossible,鈥� director J.A. Bayona depicted one family鈥檚 survival of the 2004 tsunami that struck Thailand. Like so much storytelling, these films touched audiences with the healing power of love.
鈥淲e must always celebrate the work that unites and defines us, makes us laugh, cry, think and aspire,鈥� wrote Mary McNamara, a critic for the Los Angeles Times. 鈥淓specially in the midst of tragedy.鈥�
Practicing generosity in response to the fires has cultivated a deeper sense of unity and comfort among Angelenos, said Peter Hamby, a writer based in Venice Beach, on the media company Puck鈥檚 website. By using the Oscars to honor the inspiration that drives creative works, Hollywood is helping its city recover what the late state historian Kevin Starr called 鈥渁 sustaining connection ... between Southern California and the dream of better days.鈥�
