For a ceremony that was by no means short of politically charged acceptance speeches and controversy, there were also subtle political statements that went under the radar at the 89th Academy Awards.
One of such messages were made by director Ava DuVernay, 44, whose film “13th” was nominated for best documentary.
In 2014, she became the first African-American female director to be nominated for best director at the Golden Globes for her film Selma.
Last night, Ms DuVernay stepped on the red carpet in a gown designed by a man based in a majority Muslim nation: Lebanon.
“A small sign of solidarity. I chose to wear a gown by a designer from a majority Muslim country,” she said in a tweet.
Image copyrightTWITTER/@AVAThe studio mentioned by Ms DuVernay is Ashi Studio in Beirut, Lebanon which was launched by Mohammed Ashi in 2007.
Image copyrightINSTAGRAM/@ASHISTUDIOAlthough Lebanon is not one of the seven countries included in US President Donald Trump’s temporary immigration pause, 54% of its citizens identify as Muslim.
Ms DuVernay’s critically-acclaimed documentary 13th – a reference to the 13th amendment to the US Constitution which abolished slavery – investigates “mass criminalisation and the sprawling American prison industry”.
Before heading to the event, Ms DuVernay also paid tribute to Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black 17-year-old who was fatally shot by neighbourhood watchman George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida, five years ago on 26 February. Mr Zimmerman was later found not guilty of either second-degree murder or manslaughter charges.
“On my way to Oscars. Taking a moment to remember Trayvon Martin. Our hoodies are still up and the movement is still strong,” she tweeted, holding up a grey hoodie with Trayvon printed on the front. It is believed that Mr Martin was wearing a grey hoodie during the shooting incident.
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