Why Moonlight’s Oscar Win Still Matters 8 Years Later

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Among all the unforgettable moments at the Oscars, none has left me as stunned as when Faye Dunaway mistakenly declared that “La La Land” was the winner of Best Picture – only to be corrected minutes later by Jordan Horowitz, a producer for “La La Land,” who revealed that it was actually “Moonlight” that had won the prestigious award.

As a fan, I can’t forget the rollercoaster of feelings I experienced right then. Initially, it felt as if I were still in one of those dreams where you awaken with the lingering belief that you could float or find a Nintendo Switch 2 hiding under your bed. But alas, the harsh reality soon set in – it was all just a dream.

Instead of instances where the understanding is truly disheartening, this particular moment was one to celebrate (At least for me). Similar to my colleague, Eric Eisenberg, I too felt that “Moonlight” deserved to win Best Picture, and I’m still delighted that it triumphed over “La La Land,” even eight years down the line. Here’s why:

(This version maintains the original meaning while using more natural and easy-to-read language to express the author’s feelings about the event.)

After What Happened To Brokeback Mountain, I’m Glad That The Academy Has Grown To Recognize The Importance Of Gay Stories

I’ve previously discussed this topic, yet the disappointment remains that Brokeback Mountain didn’t secure the Best Picture award in 2006. There are several factors contributing to my discontent, but the primary reason (apart from it being a superior film compared to Crash) was its unique narrative – a poignant, timeless love story revolving around a gay couple. It seemed both visionary for its time and deeply rooted in the societal context of 2005.

I had concerns that a film such as “Moonlight,” which delves into the journey of a young Black male discovering his sexual identity and other themes throughout his life up until adulthood, might be the type of story that the Academy would recognize, but I doubted it would ever win the top award.

Indeed, we’ve made significant strides in acceptance for LGBTQ+ narratives since Brokeback, but I never imagined that a film like Moonlight would outshine a beloved musical such as La La Land, with its charming leads. Frankly, I thought Moonlight had little to no chance against the odds. Unlike Crash (which I do appreciate), La La Land was widely considered a deserving contender for Best Picture in 2017, and it was undoubtedly the one to beat (It had an impressive 11 nominations, after all).

Despite my initial doubts, Moonlight triumphed over its competitors. As an advocate for LGBTQ+ stories, I wanted these tales to prevail, but I never imagined it would happen. The film, much like Brokeback Mountain, was a poignantly beautiful narrative that delicately explored homosexuality in a brave yet understated manner. Portraying Chiron’s life at three different stages – childhood, adolescence, and maturity – and his journey towards accepting and embracing his sexual identity was truly worthy of the accolade, and remarkably, it did win!

I discovered it to be marvelous. Notably, I also have a deep affection for musicals, but let me delve into that topic later on.

Or simply:

I thought it was fantastic. By the way, I’m a fan of musicals as well, but allow me to discuss that later.

I Love Musicals, But Moonlight Just Hits Differently

Out of the ten musicals that have been awarded Best Picture, I’m particularly fond of many of them. Can you recall when a musical last took home the prize? That was way back in 2003 for the movie “Chicago”. Given this timeline, I believe it was high time another musical won by 2017.

Instead of expressing displeasure, I would have been pleased if La La Land had won the award. The dance routines were exceptional, and I appreciated how the music was seamlessly woven into the narrative. Similarly to martial arts films (such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), I often find myself rooting for genre movies like musicals, fantasy, or sci-fi to take home the top prize over traditional dramas because such victories are relatively uncommon.

This time, I wanted the drama to beat the musical. Because Moonlight just hits differently.

Fundamentally, this narrative is structured into three distinct phases, mirroring the varying stages of an underprivileged African-American individual’s life. The reader embarks on a journey to understand the challenges he faces throughout his life, encountering both individuals who bring light into his world and those who cast shadows.

Here’s another way:

This tale is divided into three main segments, each one illustrating a different era in the life of a disadvantaged African-American character. As we progress through the story, we delve into the struggles he experiences and meet various individuals who impact him, positively or negatively.

Or for a more conversational tone:

This yarn unfolds in three acts, showcasing different periods of an underprivileged African-American’s life. We get to see the hardships he goes through and meet people who have either a positive or negative influence on him during his journey.

Perhaps it resonates more deeply with me because I am Black and have students who might be facing similar challenges as Chiron. Regardless, I’m thrilled that the more intimate narrative triumphed over the one focusing on two lovers parting ways due to their success. It seemed like a personal triumph of sorts.

We Need More Stories About Minority Communities Within Minority Communities, And Moonlight Is That Story

I firmly believe in the significance of stories that resonate with Black communities, as well as those that echo within the LGBTQ+ community. Yet, it’s crucial to remember that these narratives often intersect, and we should strive for more tales that highlight the experiences of individuals who identify as both Black and LGBTQ+. These stories are just as important because they represent a unique perspective – being a minority within another minority. This diversity enriches our collective understanding and fosters empathy among us all.

In many communities, acceptance of homosexuality is not commonplace. However, it’s important to note that within the African American community, there can be significant challenges when it comes to accepting individuals who identify as gay.

For example, some Black individuals have shared with me that it’s considered a moral transgression to be gay, as their pastor has taught them so. As a teacher primarily serving a Black student population, I’ve been informed by certain parents that their children will refuse to engage in any writing tasks that include the term “Pride,” as they immediately associate the word with homosexuality (even though the assignment was about discovering what makes one feel proud; however, I choose not to debate with parents and provided them with alternative topics instead).

Indeed, it’s important for me to witness more narratives focusing on minority groups nested within other minorities, as it’s crucial that the LGBTQ+ students I know have access to relatable stories.

Moonlight serves as that unique tale. It’s heartening to know that other movies and series featuring LGBTQ+ themes are available (some of them on Netflix). However, what truly makes me joyful is having a film that specifically portrays the Black and gay experience, and not only does it exist, but it even won the prestigious Best Picture award.

Overall, I Think Moonlight Winning Benefits Both Itself As Well As La La Land

In my description of “La La Land” as the tale of two individuals with contrasting career paths, I didn’t mean to diminish its value or significance. On the contrary, the romantic journey of Sebastian, portrayed by Ryan Gosling, a gifted jazz musician, and Amelia, an aspiring actress played by Emma Stone, who won an Academy Award, is captivating and poignant. The bittersweet love story of their “what could have been” relationship was indeed deserving of the Best Picture accolade.

If it had been victorious, I wouldn’t have considered it among the best movies ever to receive the Best Picture award. However, it’s worth noting that some less impressive films have won this prestigious award in the past, so I wouldn’t have been displeased if it had ultimately taken home the prize.

In my opinion, it was advantageous for both Moonlight and La La Land to win Best Picture. If La La Land had been chosen instead, it could have been seen as the film that defeated Moonlight, which isn’t fair because La La Land is a quality movie in its own right. What I am trying to convey is that I don’t believe La La Land should be criticized like Crash beating Brokeback Mountain or Driving Miss Daisy winning Best Picture when Do the Right Thing was overlooked (Can you imagine?).

In essence, by not winning against “Moonlight,” and with such a striking finale, I believe “La La Land” will be more fondly recalled in a positive light compared to if it had defeated “Moonlight.” Conversely, “Moonlight” is seen as groundbreaking due to its victory over the traditional “La La Land.

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2025-06-04 00:11