The 96th Oscar ceremony is set to take place between Sunday and Monday in Los Angeles, amidst the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war. While the organizers' action plan to prevent disruptions by protesters is not yet known, according to Deadline, the intention seems to be to guide guests and participants away from protesters and allow them to walk the red carpet, covered by a tent, without disturbance.
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The Academy has not officially responded to questions about security preparations for the ceremony. However, the Los Angeles Police Department said officers were closely collaborating with event organizers.
"We are enhancing security to prevent disruptions by protesters and to ensure the safe arrival and entry of guests to the Oscars venue while maintaining a secure environment for the event," the police commissioner said adding that the force has engaged in discussions with the protesters to ensure their right to assemble and oppose will be respected.
Meanwhile, a video installation advocating for the release of captured soldiers and civilian hostages will be projected onto a building near the venue.
In the presentation "Don’t Forget #HerToo," created by video artist Shai Filler for International Women's Day, 19 women were asked to enter a simulated prison room to showcase the current lives of 19 Israeli women held in Gaza by Hamas. The project was initially showcased at the Israeli consulate in New York, and later in Soho.
The campaign video Don't forget #hertoo
(Video: Courtesy of Shai Filler)
"Their movie is their reality. While the Oscars ceremony takes place tonight, we will remind the world, especially Hollywood actors, that there are still 134 hostages enduring horrors in Hamas captivity. We must not forget them," said Filler. "The issue of captives will be at the forefront of the international agenda. Anyone watching this will feel a punch to the gut and understand that we cannot ignore them. Every minute they are there, they suffer abuse."
For the video creation, 19 women were asked to come to a location and a project they were unfamiliar with. Upon their arrival on the day of filming, they were asked to learn about and familiarize themselves with the captivity scenario. Only after they willingly consented to participate in the experiment did they enter the simulated captivity room. After spending an hour in the room, they were asked to look into the camera and express their emotions through their eyes. It should be noted that the women were allowed to leave the room at any given moment.
The creation "Don’t Forget #HerToo" arose from the outcry of the hostages and drew inspiration from the MeToo movement, when women exposed the abuse and harassment they experienced from men over the years. The piece illustrates how those women, though pioneers and leaders who were brave enough to shout out their pain, weren't courageous enough to shout the cries of others.
This presentation isn't the only mention of the war expected at the ceremony. Earlier on Sunday, it was reported that pro-Palestinian and ceasefire-pro organizations announced they would hold a protest march under the slogan "No Awards During a War Crime."
However, the motion picture academy is prepared for them—according to Deadline. "We are well aware of the protesters, and we have several backup scenarios that we can activate quickly if necessary," said a senior security official at the academy. "We are working closely with our partners in the Los Angeles Police Department, and we do not anticipate any issues or delays for the guests or nominees," he added while surveying the tightly guarded and fenced area around the Dolby Theatre, where the ceremony is set to take place.