Taika Waititi; Photo by Todd Williamson/January Images Jewish talent is represented on screen and behind the camera in the nominations for the 92nd Academy Awards.
Scarlett Johansson had never been nominated for an Oscar, but this year she was recognized twice, in the lead actress category for “Marriage Story” and in the supporting category for “Jojo Rabbit.”
Both films are among the nine best picture nominees, which also include “Ford v Ferrari,” “The Irishman,” “Joker,” “Little Women,” “1917,” “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood” and “Parasite.” Only “Parasite” did not feature Jewish producers.
Taika Waititi wasn’t nominated for best director but scored nods for producing and adapting “Jojo Rabbit” for the screen. Noah Baumbach also received nominations for his “Marriage Story” original screenplay and producing the film with David Heyman, who also produced “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood.”
Sam Mendes is nominated for directing and writing the screenplay for his World War I movie “1917,” and Todd Phillips is similarly honored for his direction and writing on “Joker.” Both produced their films.
Among the other honored producers are Jane Rosenthal for “The Irishman,” James Mangold and Peter Chernin for “Ford v Ferrari,” and Amy Pascal for “Little Women.”
In the music categories, Thomas Newman is nominated for his “1917” original score, and Randy Newman is a double nominee, for his “Marriage Story” score and original song “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away” from “Toy Story 4.” Diane Warren received her 11th Oscar nomination for “I’m Standing With You” from “Breakthrough.” Lawrence Sher
was recognized for his cinematography on “Joker.”
One of this year’s biggest Jewish snubs was “Uncut Gems.” The New York diamond district thriller, written and directed by Josh and Benny Safdie, stars Adam
Sandler and received critical acclaim and audience appreciation. The film, which had Oscar buzz since its release on Dec. 25, recently was chosen by the National
Board of Review as one of the top 10 films of 2019, with Sandler also winning best
lead actor.
Also snubbed was Amazon’s indie film “Honey Boy,” written by Shia LaBeouf and directed by Israeli filmmaker Alma Har’el. Although it wasn’t recognized at the Golden Globes or Oscars this year, the semiautobiographical film about LaBeouf’s childhood received three Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations including best director and two for best supporting actor. The ceremony is Feb. 8.
Har’el also received the First Time Feature Film Award at the 72nd Directors Guild of America Awards on Jan. 25.
— additional reporting by Erin Ben-Moche
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