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Ethan Hawke takes aim at Oscars
Star of 'Before Sunset' calls the Oscars 'fake' and 'destructive'
WENN
Ethan Hawke has branded the Oscars "destructive" and "fake" in a scathing
criticism of the Hollywood awards season just days before the movie industry's
biggest prizegiving.
The two-time Oscar nominee, who received nods for 2001's "Training Day" and
2004 romance 'Before Sunset," fears the annual tradition of handing out prizes
is detrimental to the industry because it encourages such a fiercely competitive
culture.
He is also convinced the Academy Awards have very little value because they
have been won by so many "stupid movies" and "mediocre performers" over the
years.
"People want to turn everything in this country into a competition. It's
clear who the winner is and who the loser is. It's why they like to announce the
grosses of movies, because it's a way of saying, 'This one is No. 1.' It's so
asinine," Hawke said, in an interview with Gotham magazine. "If you
look at how many forgettable, stupid movies have won Oscars and how many
mediocre performers have Oscars above their fireplace. Making a priority of
chasing these fake carrots and money and dubious accolades, I think it's really
destructive."
Ironic. He's simultaneously downplaying the importance of the Oscars while elevating the importance of his own vocation. He's just an actor. It's just a movie awards show. We're not talking medical or scientific breakthroughs.
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