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Why Anora Exposes Everything Wrong with the Oscars (and Hollywood)
And why it’s a sign of Hollywood's decay
They say elite culture was exactly that: culture made for and directed at an elite.
In contrast, pop culture has always been studied as something made by and for the people.
But lately, these dividing lines are becoming increasingly blurred, making us wonder: has the power shift also flipped our standards of praise?
In other words, has what was once considered elitist and incomprehensible become adored by the masses, while what was seen as lowbrow and trashy is now worshipped by the elite?
Or are we simply witnessing the overall decline of art — here, specifically, cinema — under the excuse that showcasing the ugliest aspects of humanity is somehow profound? As if throwing in gratuitous swearing, empty sex scenes and bleak narratives make something “deep” just because it’s unpleasant?
This trend has been going on for a while, but it has escalated dramatically in recent years. And honestly, I wouldn’t mind watching films about these themes — if only they actually had a story, some emotion, or even a shred of affection for their main characters. Traditionally, stories made for the people didn’t require a PhD in film studies just to decode…
