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Al Pacino: "I just want to make it clear that it was not my intention to leave them out"
Photo: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP
With his unconventional appearance as a presenter, Al Pacino caused some confusion and amusement during the Oscar gala.
As the last presenter of the evening, it was the actor's turn to announce the winner in the best film category.
Instead of first acknowledging the ten nominees, as was usual, Pacino took action: The Oscar winner briefly fiddled with the envelope and then immediately announced “Oppenheimer” as the winner of the best film.
Pacino has now specifically justified the unusual approach: "I just want to make it clear that it was not my intention to leave it out," Pacino said in a statement on Monday afternoon.
Instead, it was the producers' decision not to mention all of the nominated films again, as they were highlighted individually throughout the ceremony.
“I was honored to be a part of the evening and decided to follow the path they wanted to present this award,” said Pacino.
"I realize that being nominated is a huge milestone in a person's life and not being fully recognized is insulting and hurtful," the actor said.
»I say this as someone who has a deep relationship with filmmakers, actors and producers.
I feel deeply for those who have been offended by this omission, which is why I felt it necessary to make this statement.”
Pacino was nominated for an Oscar nine times as an actor and won the award for best actor in 1992 for “The Scent of Women.”
The nominated films – “American Fiction,” “Anatomy of a Case,” “Barbie,” “The Holdovers,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Maestro,” “Oppenheimer,” “Past Lives,” “Poor Things,” and »The Zone of Interest« – were all shown with clips during the show.
Pacino's abrupt presentation - saying "And the Oscar goes to..." before finally announcing, "My eyes see 'Oppenheimer'" - still left many viewers confused.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was not immediately available for comment on Pacino's statement.
eru/AP