By Amy Sussman, Getty Images.
Yalitza Aparicio, the 25-year-old schoolteacher turned actress who got an Oscar nomination for her very first acting role—starring as Cleo in Alfonso Cuarón’s acclaimed Roma—is still pinching herself.
“I never imagined I would be an actress, and it feels really wonderful to be here tonight. Especially because it shows people that women can aspire to be whatever they want, and break through barriers,” Aparicio said, through a translator, at the 12th annual Women in Film Oscar Nominees Party in Beverly Hills on Friday night. “It’s been a transformative experience to meet so many strong women while traveling to different parts of the world, and to be in a film that shows how important women are, and also how valuable they are. I feel really happy and proud to have this experience.”
The Mexican big-screen newcomer celebrated her astounding achievement with many of her Oscar-nominated cohort, including Glenn Close, Regina King, her Roma costar Marina de Tavira, and costume designer Sandy Powell, for a toast at the lavish Women in Film soirée, held at Spring Place. During the evening’s bash, talk about the increased number of female nominations—more women than ever before are competing for Oscars this year, cited for their roles both in front and behind the camera—quickly turned to the numerous controversies that have plagued this year’s Oscars.
Many nominees attending the Women in Film party would have been affected by the Academy’s much-grumbled-about plan to cut four categories from the live Oscar telecast—makeup and hairstyling, cinematography, live-action short films and film editing—if the organization had not abruptly changed its mind just days before the ceremony. Marianne Farley, nominated for her live-action short film Marguerite, was “disappointed” about the Academy’s original strategy to shorten the ceremony’s time, she said. She plans to subtly address the controversy by discussing the importance of short films in her acceptance speech if she’s called to the stage.
“Short films are really precious. This is where the next generation of filmmakers will come from,” said Farley on the red carpet. ”We as short film creators, it’s really important to talk about these things. Short films are powerful films—they are just as hard to do, and they are just as important—and sometimes even more interesting than—feature films, because that’s where you can experiment and you can try things out. We have to fight for short films. If I win, I will say a little thing about that, because I do think it’s important.”
When makeup artist and hairstylist Pamela Goldammer, nominated for her work in the Swedish film Border, first heard about the Academy’s decision to cut her category, she thought it was unfair.
“The only thing I thought was, my daughter was going to be sitting and watching the show on TV, and if [I had] the chance of actually winning the Oscar, then she wouldn’t be seeing me. That was sad to think about,” said Goldammer. “I’m happy they changed their minds. I’m not too worried about the show being too long. Whatever decisions they make on Sunday, I think it’s going to be fine. Let’s see what happens. I’m excited.”
As for Aparicio, having a coveted invite to the Dolby Theatre on Hollywood’s biggest night will be a moment she will remember for the rest of her life.
“I’m very excited because I’ve only seen this event on TV, and it’s very impactful on TV,” she said. “I’m very curious to see what it’s like to actually be there and be present. I think it will be a day I will never forget.”
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This story was originally published by Vanity Fair
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