Los Angeles, March 28: Riz Ahmed won his first Academy Award for the Best Live Action Short Film “The Long Goodbye”. The category was announced before the live ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, among a number of other categories earlier during the Sunday event here.
“In such divided times, we believe that the role of story is to remind us there is no ‘us’ and ‘them’. There’s just ‘us.’ This is for everyone who feels like they don’t belong. Anyone who feels like they’re stuck in no man’s land. You’re not alone. We’ll meet you there. That’s where the future is. Peace,” said the British-Pakistani actor-rapper during his acceptance speech.
“The Reluctant Fundamentalist” star played the lead in the short film, which he also co-wrote along with director Aneil Karia. The 39-year-old Ahmed’s win was announced in advance of the Oscars 2022 ceremony, with Short Film (Live Action) being one of several categories to be dropped from the televised portion of the event.
The Long Goodbye features music from Ahmed’s 2021 album of the same name, and focuses on a south Asian family in London who are accosted at their home by members of an an all-white militia. The decision not to broadcast the award, along with awards including Best Production Design, Best Editing and Best Sound, caused outrage among many Oscars viewers and members of the film industry. UNI
