NOAH SHADE
Oscars 2019 – Trevor Noah makes dig at Mel Gibson over his ‘racist rant’ during speech about Black Panther
The Daily Show host, who was a voice-over artist in Black Panther, took a shot at Gibson while introducing the hit film.
TREVOR Noah used his moment on stage at the Oscars to take a dig at Mel Gibson over the Braveheart star’s alleged racist rant.
The Daily Show host, who was a voice-over artist in Black Panther, took a shot at Gibson while introducing the hit film.
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He joked about all the times people have come up to him to talk about Wakanda – the fictional country in the film.
“Black Panther may be an African hero, but his story and his appeal are universal.
“I know this personally because of all the people that constantly come up to me and say, ‘Wakanda Forever!’
“Mel Gibson came up to me like, ‘Wakanda Forever.’
“He said another word after that, but the Wakanda part was nice.”
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Gibson hit the headlines in 2006 after launching into an anti-Semitic rant while he was being booked for drink-driving by a Jewish police officer in California.
The actor publicly apologised, calling the incident a “moment of insanity” and the arrest was expunged from his record in 2009 after he had served three years probation.
It did not take long for the Oscars to get political.
Although the ceremony was host-free this year, presenters Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey didn't shy away from divisive topics in the opening segment.
Rudolph was quick to take aim at Donald Trump, quipping: “Mexico is not paying for the wall”.
The Bridesmaids actress was not the only star to make a dig at the controversial border wall with Mexico that Trump promised during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Spanish actor Javier Bardem also made a subtle reference to the wall while introducing the nominees for best foreign language film.
Speaking in his native tongue, he said: "There are no borders or walls that stop ingenuity and talent.
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“In each region there are stories that move us and tonight we celebrate the excellence and importance of the language of different countries."
There was a huge cheer when Mexican film Roma was announced as the winner in that category.
The black-and-white Netflix film, directed and written by Alfonso Cuaron, marked Mexico's first Oscar victory in the category and has already picked up a slew of other awards this year.
The film was inspired by Cuaron's childhood and a domestic worker who helped raise him. It features a largely unknown or amateur cast.
The title is taken from the Mexico City Colonia Roma neighborhood where Cuaron grew up.
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"Roma" stars Yalitza Aparicio as a domestic worker named Cleo who becomes pregnant as she cares for a family with four children as the parents are splitting up.
Political turmoil in Mexico serves as a backdrop, with Cleo witnessing a 1971 massacre of protesters that marked the beginning of a "dirty war" against dissenters.
The film depicts her character speaking in the indigenous language of Mixtec.
Earlier on the red carpet, Bardem said that Roma sends the message that “the cinema includes and does not exclude".
"Undoubtedly the message that is being sent today with 'Roma' with so many nominations and the possibility of winning many of them and important is how the cinema unifies, beyond sexual orientation, the country where you are born, the language you speak, the colour of your skin,” he said, according to reports.
The ceremony, which does not have a host this year after the Academy's pick Kevin Hart stepped down following a row over historic homophobic tweets, opened with a performance by Queen and Adam Lambert.
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The band, who are the subject of the Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, performed a medley of We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions.
Mahershala Ali was named best supporting actor for playing a black pianist touring the segregated U.S. South in the 1960s - his second Academy Award in three years.
Regina King won her first Oscar for her supporting role as a mother fighting for justice in "If Beale Street Could Talk." .
"I am an example of what it looks like when support and love is poured into someone," said King. "Mom, I love you so much."
Spike Lee got a standing ovation from the crowd when he won the Oscar for best adapted screenplay for BlacKkKlansman.
He used his moment in the spotlight to raise awareness of black history month.
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Spike also urged Americans to “do the right thing” when they vote in the 2020 presidential election.
“The 2020 presidential election is around the corner – let’s be on the right side of history.
“We need to make a moral choice between love and hate. Let’s do the right thing.”
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