TO UPDATE: The Instagram post shared on the “To Leslie” account has been deleted.
The film awards industry is in turmoil following news that the Academy is ‘overhauling campaign procedures’ after Andrea Riseborough received a surprise Best Actress Oscar nomination for indie drama ‘To Leslie’.
The ‘popular’ campaign brought in plenty of famous names to help raise awareness for the small indie, but did that break the rules or just play the awards game smart?
Influential celebrities aside, an Instagram post on the “To Leslie” page may have violated Academy rules and guidelines.
In a post dated two weeks ago, the official “To Leslie” Instagram account quoted Richard Roeper’s blurb from his Chicago Sun-Times 10 Best Movies of 2022 article, where he ranked the film at no. 5. The quote reads, “As much as I admired Blanchett’s work in ‘Tár,’ my favorite performance by a woman this year was delivered by chameleon Andrea Riseborough in director Michael Morris’ searing drama on a mother at the final crossroads of her life after losing everything to her drinking. With an insightful script from Ryan Binaco and excellent supporting work from Marc Maron, Andre Royo, Allison Janney and Stephen Root, “To Leslie” ranks with “Leaving Las Vegas” and “Crazy Heart” as modern classics on the ravages of alcoholism.
This could be considered a direct violation of Academy campaign rules, specifically no. 11: “References to other candidates”.
Part B reads: “Any tactic that singles out ‘the competition’ by name or titles is expressly prohibited.”
Although it quotes a reviewer rather than directly invoking the name of a competing hopeful, the fact that it’s from the film’s official Instagram could still be an issue.
“Let’s be fair during this process,” said Academy member of the acting branch The variety. “It doesn’t look good, but I don’t want to jump to conclusions. A breach isn’t the end for anyone, and it shouldn’t be, but when you add the other X-factors and rumors to the mix, you have to look into it.
“I feel bad for Andrea,” shares another member. “No matter what happens, his reputation is tarnished whether his campaign did anything or not.”
It’s ironic given the post that references Blanchett, who publicly named Riseborough, as well as Tang Wei and Penélope Cruz when she won the Critics Choice Award for Best Actress earlier this month.
Actor Frances Fisher, a staunch supporter of Riseborough’s campaign on the Tour, also cited Roeper’s story, but twisted it, saying: “Richard Roeper chose Andrea Riseborough at No. 5 out of 10 for the best actress.”
Roeper named the film as his no. 5 movie of the year, not specifically his performance.
On the post, Fisher tagged 20 members of the acting branch to get their attention, including Cher, Glenn Close, Alec Baldwin and Elizabeth Banks.
She also says in part in the post: “There are some wonderful actresses in the running thankfully backed by multi-million dollar ad campaigns… Acting Branch – please watch To Leslie on the Academy Screening Room app – once you will have done it, you will understand what I am talking about. #NominateAndreaRiseborough”
In addition to questions on social media, there have been allegations that representatives are contacting Academy members directly to solicit votes. The Academy’s rules cover For Your Consideration (FYC) communications to members, but they are very broad, which the organization will likely need to address in future rule revisions.
The Academy permits solicitations through Academy-approved broadcasters. The variety can confirm that the rewards campaign for “To Leslie” sent out FYC emails to members for screenings and Q&As. No evidence has been presented that Riseborough or anyone on his team directly contacted AMPAS voters to ask for their support.
The Academy email carries a hefty price tag for a self-funded campaign, charging $2,000 per blast to all Academy members. A studio can only purchase one email send per week. The variety can also confirm that “To Leslie” sent at least three emails sent to AMPAS voters, allegedly bought by Momentum Pictures or the Riseborough campaign team, including Narrative PR and Shelter PR.
If for some reason the Academy were to rescind her nomination, the best acting lineup would remain at four and Riseborough would not be replaced.
For various reasons, nine nominations have been rescinded in the Academy’s 95 years. This includes Charlie Chaplin for his film “The Circus” (1928) at the premiere ceremony for Greg Russell’s most recent occurrence, which was retired for Best Sound Mixing for “13 Hours” (2016),