Remembering Joaquin Phoenix's bold 2020 Oscars speech
Throwing it back to the 2020 Oscars, Joaquin Phoenix's audacious speech not only celebrated his win but challenged societal norms, leaving the audience enthralled.
Updated : October 20, 2023 05:28 PM ISTThrowing it back to the 2020 Oscars, Joaquin Phoenix's audacious speech not only celebrated his win but challenged societal norms, leaving the audience enthralled.
Joaquin Phoenix (Source: The Telegraph)
The Phoenix's Fiery Address
2020 was a year filled with cinematic marvels, but one film and one actor stood out from the crowd: Joaquin Phoenix with his portrayal of the Joker. Known for his craft on-screen, Joaquin is also renowned for speaking his mind off-screen. Just a month before the 2020 Oscars, he took the Golden Globes stage and hinted at his advocacy side, calling out actors for their environmental choices.
The Oscars became a platform for him to amplify this even further. In a mesmerizing speech, Phoenix touched upon various global issues saying, “I think whether we’re talking about gender and equality, or racism, or queer rights, or indigenous rights, or animal rights, we’re talking about the fight against injustice."
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The address took a bizarre turn when he delved into the raw reality of the dairy industry, emphasizing the cries of a separated bovine mother and her calf. But, in doing so, he highlighted the broader theme of humanity's growing disconnection with nature and the tendency to exploit the environment.
Yet, Phoenix's earnest plea wasn't all gloom. He showed the flip side too, lauding humanity's brilliance and innovation. Expressing faith in mankind, he stressed, “when we use love and compassion as our guiding principles we can develop and implement systems of change that are beneficial to all sentient beings, and to the environment.” Phoenix was also raw and real about his own shortcomings, acknowledging his past and thanking everyone for their constant support and belief in redemption.
A Tribute to River
In a poignant end to his speech, Phoenix honored his late brother, River Phoenix, with a heartfelt quote, “Run to the rescue with love, and peace will follow.” It was an ode to love, humanity, and everything River stood for. Joaquin Phoenix's 2020 Oscars speech wasn't just an acceptance; it was a clarion call, a plea, and a hope for a better world. A reminder that an actor's role doesn't end when the director yells Cut!
(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)