As a long-time film enthusiast and gamer, I can’t help but feel frustrated and disheartened by the way the Academy Awards campaign for “Green Book” unfolded. Viggo Mortensen, an actor whose work I have admired since his iconic role as Aragorn in “The Lord of the Rings,” was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in this film. However, the controversy surrounding its historical accuracy and depictions of racism cast a dark cloud over the entire campaign.
Viggo Mortensen received an Academy Award nomination for his role in the successful 2018 movie “Green Book.” However, the experience of being nominated for this film at the 2019 Oscars was not as pleasant and gratifying as one might expect. “Green Book” was up for a total of five awards, and it went on to win three: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali, and Best Original Screenplay. Yet, after its premiere, the film faced continuous backlash from historians, film critics, and viewers due to alleged historical inaccuracies and charges of perpetuating racism towards whites.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Mortensen discussed the controversy surrounding “Green Book” and its Oscar campaign. Amidst negative press coverage, the film’s team, including Mortensen himself, felt let down by the studio. He expressed his regret that they hadn’t intervened earlier to clarify misconceptions about the film’s portrayal of racism and historical figures in the media. The actor stated:
I found it disheartening for our filmmaking team when the studio gave in to baseless criticisms about the movie’s historical accuracy and other perceived flaws. These criticisms spread quickly through social media, fueled by rival studios who took pleasure in amplifying them. The power of social media today makes such rumors seem more significant than they truly are.
Based on my own perspective and experiences, I believe that Peter Farrelly and his team should have taken a stronger stance against the false accusations much earlier on. They had the evidence to prove that the story was true, yet they waited. In retrospect, it would have been wiser for them to release the recordings as soon as possible to set the record straight. Their hesitance may have caused unnecessary confusion and doubt among their audience. However, I commend them for eventually doing so and for ultimately standing up for the truth. It takes courage to face adversity, especially when it comes to defending one’s own work and reputation.
Viggo Mortensen Says Green Book is as Popular as The Lord of the Rings
Mortensen is most famously recognized for portraying Aragorn in Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, which has remained a cultural phenomenon since its release over 20 years ago. Mortensen continues to attend Comic-Cons and fan conventions where fans express their admiration for his work in these films. “The Lord of the Rings” dominates Mortensen’s filmography with its enduring popularity. Surprisingly, however, Mortensen mentioned that at fan events, “Green Book” garners just as much enthusiasm from fans despite the frequent criticisms leveled against it.
Mortensen expressed his regret that the film’s producers hadn’t recognized the growing interest and support for “Green Book” earlier, enabling them to respond more effectively to unwarranted criticism. He argued that doing so would have not only preserved a favorable image for the film during its Oscars campaign but also potentially resulted in substantial financial gains for the studio. The actor shared his perspective on the matter as follows:
Regardless of where I travel, I continue to encounter an equal amount of interest for “The Green Book” as I do for “Lord of the Rings” from people who present photographs or DVDs. The public’s affection for that film was immense. If the studio had taken more risks and acted swiftly in response, they could have earned significantly higher box office revenue.
Recently, Mortensen has made his comeback to the big screen with the film “The Dead Don’t Hurt.” For an engaging interview with the talented actor, along with Vicky Krieps, check out our exclusive footage below.
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2024-07-20 17:31