Godzilla Minus One created history on January 23 at the Oscars by being the first movie in the 70-year history of the Godzilla franchise to receive a nomination for Best Visual Effects. As of now, director Takashi Yamazaki, along with the rest of the crew, holds the distinction of being the first Japanese recipient of the Oscar for Best Visual Effects. A much-awaited win!
In addition to their exceptional work on Godzilla Minus One, Masaki Takahashi, Tatsuji Nojima, Kiyoko Shibuya, and Takashi Yamazaki were recognized with awards for Best Visual Effects. But the Academy recently faced criticism for treating a crew member of the 2023 Japanese epic Kaiju film disrespectfully, given that the member was having difficulty speaking English.
This incident has enraged many fans and industry professionals because it highlights a much larger problem: systemic discrimination in Hollywood.
Godzilla Minus One’s Recent Oscar Win Made Kaiju History
Though it has achieved his greatest achievement to date—winning an Oscar—Godzilla is a titan of cinema. Godzilla Minus One, io9’s favorite 2023 film, has just been revealed to have won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects in the 2024 Academy Awards (see CNN).
The film prevailed over fierce competition from Western studios and Marvel, which included The Creator and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 up for nominations, as well as other Western studios, to claim the prize. It is the first Japanese-made picture to win the Visual Effects trophy and the first nomination (and now win) for the Godzilla franchise in the nearly 70-year history of the Academy Awards.
Not only is director Takashi Yamazaki one of the recognized nominees, but this is the first time in 55 years that a director has won the VFX award since Stanley Kubrick won the 1969 Academy Award for 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Breaking Barriers: Godzilla Minus One Crew’s Battle with Language Discrimination?
The recent act of disrespect by the Academy toward one of the crew members of Godzilla Minus One, who was already having difficulty speaking English, has angered both industry insiders and fans.
Many people began to doubt the fairness of the awards process after the crew, who put forth a great deal of effort to bring the famous monster to life on screen, was disregarded and ignored by the esteemed organization.
It was a crushing blow; let us listen to some of the fans’ tweets:
Or let them speak their own language and subtitle it.
— Puebloterrible (@puebloterrible) March 11, 2024
Could they not have provided a translator or subtitled his speech? Incredibly rude to play them off stage, especially for such a great achievement
— Galaxygolfergirl (@PerihelionStud1) March 11, 2024
1000% agreed. A little bit of grace and a few extra seconds would’ve been fine. Esp when some ppl use 1/4 of their speech time when they win.
— Whitney Danielle 💕💁🏾♀️ (@whitneydc_) March 11, 2024
It’s so mean, as if subtitles don’t exist?!???
— kyla✮ (@p1at1k) March 11, 2024
Completely agree. Let them speak their own language and give the audience subtitles!!
— Michelle (@mcast1640) March 11, 2024
Seriously. I'd like to see how many Americans could accept an award in a different language.
I loved hearing his speech and wanted to hear every word!
— KindnessMatters (@pizzafruittart) March 11, 2024
Despite challenges like language and cultural barriers, the creators of Godzilla Minus One gave it their all to create an artistically stunning and profoundly moving film that captivated audiences worldwide, especially in light of their most recent Oscar win.
As fans of films and advocates for diversity in the entertainment industry, it is heartbreaking to see the cast and crew of Godzilla Minus One treated with such disrespect.
