The meaning behind the blue ribbons worn at the Oscars
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Small and subtle, the blue ribbon worn by many celebrities at the Oscars nonetheless contained an important message: Support refugees.
According to a statement from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, holding ribbons with #Refugees on Sunday “sends a powerful visual message that everyone has the right to seek safety, no matter who they are, wherever they are.” Yes, whenever.”
The ribbons were made by the Knotty Tie Company, which the agency says provides employment, training and education to refugees in the Denver area.
The human themes of struggle, alienation and loss are present in many of the films nominated at festivals and award ceremonies this season, the agency said in the statement, citing films such as “Avatar: The Way of Water” and “Marseille the Way”. ” Shell with Shoes On.
“Through effective storytelling, these films help dispel discrimination and misconceptions, offer new perspectives and help generate compassion for those forced to flee,” the statement continued.
The number of displaced people globally now tops 103 million, a figure fueled by significant factors such as Russia’s war in Ukraine, other conflicts around the world, and climate change.
Vietnam-born Best Supporting Actor Huy Quan made reference to his own story of being a refugee during his acceptance speech.
“My journey started on a boat. I spent a year in a refugee camp,” Kwan said. “Somehow, I ended up here on the biggest stage in Hollywood. They say stories like this only happen in movies. I can’t believe this is happening to me. This — this — is the American dream.
Like other UN agencies, the UNHCR has a long history of celebrity engagement – most famously, Angelina Jolie was the refugee agency’s lone special envoy until parting ways last year.
Best Actress nominee Cate Blanchett is UNHCR’s Goodwill Ambassador. But on Friday, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric plugged the plug for a goodwill ambassador from a different agency – the United Nations Development Programme. When asked if he had a favorite for best picture, he demurred.
“No, but I do hope that the UNDP’s own Goodwill Ambassador Michelle Yeoh wins Best Actress, and we wish her all the best,” he said of the eventual winner.
,
For more Oscars coverage, see
