Well, playing I’m Just Ken seconds after a heartfelt speech from the director of 20 days in Mariupol was most certainly a choice, and perhaps not a good one, to say the least. Mishaps in live events are not uncommon, there are many ways things could go wrong, and although the Will Smith-Chris Rock moment from the 2022 Oscars will forever be the greatest example of it, the 2024 Oscars also have had its fair share of some little oopsie-daisy moments here and there until now. Fans are now trolling The Academy for this tone-deaf moment!
20 Days in Mariupol Wins Oscar for Best Documentary, Making Ukrainian History!
The 96th Academy Awards will most certainly make history, and with the win of 20 Days in Mariupol, history has already been made! As it turns out, this is the first Oscar that Ukraine has ever taken home in Oscar history.
The documentary, presenting a brutally gut-wrenching first-person account of the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 by a Ukrainian journalist, Mstyslav Chernov, received a standing ovation after the director’s speech. Chernov delivered a heart-wrenching acceptance speech about the tumultuous times Ukraine has been going through and what this win means for the country. He said (via The Guardian),
“I am honoured but I will probably be the first director on this stage to say that I wish I had never made this film. I wish to be able to exchange this for Russia never attacking Ukraine, never invading our cities. I wish to be able to exchange this for Russian not killing 10,000 of my fellow Ukrainians.”
He further continued,
“I cannot change history. I cannot change the past,–But we all together, you – some of the most talented people in the world – can make sure the history record is set straight and the truth will prevail and the people of Mariupol and those who have lost their lives will never be forgotten. Because cinema forms memories and memories form history. Thanks to Ukraine.”
The documentary was first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2023. This speech will undoubtedly be remembered not only as a highlight of the night but also as an incredibly pivotal moment for cinema worldwide.
Fans Can’t Fathom Academy’s Choice to Play I’m Just Ken 2 Seconds After Heartfelt Speech
As people wiped away tears after this incredible, heart-wrenching speech, in a true live program fashion, The Oscars made one of the most tone-deaf moments television has ever witnessed. The orchestra played a version of Ryan Gosling‘s I’m Just Ken as the stage cleared up mere seconds after the historic win, and fans online can’t fathom how no one thought it was a good idea.
Here are some of the fan reactions,
The oscars are crazy, someone pours out his heart and soul in a free Ukraine speech and 2 seconds later they’re blasting I’m just Ken
— Nabil (@__nabo) March 11, 2024
Oscars orchestra playing off the Ukraine war doc speech with "I'm Just Ken" is so 😭
— little lesbian intern (@thatguyuptown) March 11, 2024
kind of ironic “i’m just ken” being the outro music to ukrain winning their first oscar….. #Oscar2024 #oscars #Oscars2024
— jessie (@jessiechall) March 11, 2024
Oof. That I’m just Ken needle drop after that speech was rough. #Oscars2024
— Payson Johnson (@The_Cinemaster) March 11, 2024
Powerful speech from the 20 Days in Mariupol documentary film winners, followed by the biggest whiplash ever as I’m Just Ken kicks in 😬
— Hannah Watkin (@HannahWatkin_) March 11, 2024
Playing “I’m Just Ken” as the Ukrainian team behind “Twenty Days in Mariupol” leaves the stage is…a choice. #Oscars
— GαႦႦყ V. (@GabbyV2) March 11, 2024
Despite being cringe-worthy, this moment will definitely go down in history. Fans are now gearing up to see what else the rest of the ceremony has in store for them. As many couldn’t help but squirm with secondhand embarrassment at the song choice The Academy made.
