Last night’s 89th Academy Awards ended with a rather confusing but well-deserved twist. The award for Best Picture, originally given to “La La Land,” was in fact intended for “Moonlight.”
For Best Picture, “Moonlight” was up against “Arrival,” “Fences,” “Hacksaw Ridge,” “Hell or High Water,” “Hidden Figures,” “La La Land,” “Lion” and “Manchester by the Sea.” One of the main producers of “Moonlight” was Adele Romanski, an award-winning independent film producer and Pine View class of 2001 alumna. In January’s Golden Globe Awards, Romanski and the rest of the “Moonlight” crew won the award for Best Motion-Picture Drama.
After “Moonlight” was announced Best Picture, Romanski spoke about the win.
…It’s very humbling to be up here and I think… I hope even more than that it’s inspiring to people, little black boys and brown girls and other folks watching at home who feel marginalized, and who take some inspiration from seeing this beautiful group of artists held by this amazing talent, Barry Jenkins, accepting this top honor. Thank you.”
“Moonlight” chronicles the the story about a man’s life in three chapters, while he struggles with his own sexuality. The film stars actors including Mahershala Ali and Naomie Harris. Ali won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Role, and screenwriters Tarell Alvin McCraney and Barry Jenkins won the award for Best Writing Adapted Screenplay.
To read more on Romanski’s journey to her win, check the Herald Tribune here.