Al Pacino apologizes after Oscar speech
“It wasn’t my intention to leave her out”
Al Pacino at the 96th Academy Awards: He was allowed to announce the winner in the “Best Film” category.
© imago/Picturelux
Al Pacino’s alleged Oscar faux pas caused a stir. Now the actor has spoken out with a statement.
The 83-year-old told the US portal “TMZ”.: “There seems to be some controversy over my not mentioning each film by name last night before announcing the Best Picture award. I just want to make it clear that it wasn’t my intention to leave them out; “The producers decided not to mention them again as they were highlighted individually during the ceremony.”
According to him, he adhered to the given rules during his performance. “I was honored to be a part of the evening and decided to follow the way they wanted the awards ceremony to be presented,” Pacino said in his statement.
But he feels sorry for the nominees, who he didn’t mention before the winner was announced: “I realize that a nomination is a big milestone in a person’s life and that it is insulting and hurtful if that is not fully recognized. I say this as someone who has a deep relationship with filmmakers, actors and producers, so I deeply sympathize with those who were offended by this oversight. That’s why I feel this statement is necessary.”
This is how Al Pacino’s speech at the Oscars went
“This is the time for the final award of the evening and it is an honor to present it,” Pacino began the Best Picture Oscar, as stated in a video available on YouTube from Oscar TV channel ABC see is.
After Pacino’s statement that “ten wonderful films” were nominated, but only one “will receive the award for best film”, the reading of the nominated works such as “Barbie”, “Killers of the Flower Moon”, “Maestro” or the eventual winner “Oppenheimer”. This is a tradition in Hollywood and honors the best films of the past year – even if only one ultimately takes home the coveted Oscar trophy.
But Pacino skipped this important step and instead immediately opened the winning envelope with the words “I have to go to the envelope… and I will… here it comes.” To great laughter in the hall, he declared: “And my eyes see Oppenheimer.” There was initially hardly any reaction to this in the Dolby Theater, but then applause gradually broke out and the music started.