One of the biggest upsets of Sunday’s 91st Academy Awards was “Green Book” taking home the award for Best Picture, instead of the favored “Roma.”
Although this year’s awards show marked a record-breaking year for recognizing the achievement of black artists — bestowing trophies upon seven black winners in six categories — to critics and the general public “Green Book”’s win felt more like a step backward than a step forward.
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Spike Lee was noticeably upset at the Best Picture outcome. Having finally received an Oscar for screenwriting for his film “BlackKklansman,” the director tried to leave the Dolby Theatre after “Green Book” was announced Best Picture.
Later during press interviews, Lee remarked that he loses “every time somebody’s driving somebody,” referring to the 1990 Oscars, when “Do the Right Thing” lost best screenplay to “Driving Miss Daisy.” When asked about “Green Book” winning best picture, he took another sip and said, “Next question!”
Some, including director Ava DuVernay, took this opportunity to teach others more about the real-life Green Book, a travel guide for African Americans in the United States, and its developer Victor Hugo Green.
