World Mental Health Day: Movies on mental health snubbed at the Oscars?
On World Mental Health Day, a dive into the Academy Awards reveals a consistent overlook of films centered on mental health, despite powerful performances getting their nods.
Updated : October 20, 2023 05:28 PM ISTOn World Mental Health Day, a dive into the Academy Awards reveals a consistent overlook of films centered on mental health, despite powerful performances getting their nods.
World Mental Health Day
While the diversity and inclusion conversation rages on in Hollywood, mental health narratives, shockingly, often remain in the backdrop. Only a mere fraction of movies addressing mental health struggles have garnered the coveted Oscar nomination for Best Picture in the past 50 years. Even then, most depict rare or exaggerated psychological conditions, leaving common mental health struggles in the shadows.
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Actors portraying characters descending into the chaos of mental illness have frequently received Oscar nominations, emphasizing how the Academy recognizes individual portrayals more than the collective story. Names like Angelina Jolie in Girl, Interrupted or Jessica Lange in Frances remind us of powerful performances that were acknowledged. Yet, their films were never considered "Best Picture" material. This disparity sheds light on a narrative where movies about men’s mental vulnerabilities are deemed more “relatable” and are often elevated to best picture status. Women-centric movies, however, receive lesser acclaim.
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Today's Oscars: Echoing historical trends?
Recent Oscar nominations suggest a continuation of this historical bias. While movies such as The Whale with Brendan Fraser or Blonde with Ana de Armas present nuanced depictions of mental health, they face divisive reception. In an industry leaning towards blockbusters like Avatar: The Way of Water and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, deeper narratives addressing mental health are often overshadowed.
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As World Mental Health Day trends worldwide, it's worth reflecting on Hollywood's relationship with this critical topic. The Oscars, a mirror of cinematic excellence, must evolve to recognize and reward the depth and diversity of stories about mental health.