A day like today: Marlon Brando rejected the Oscar for Best Actor
In the first edition of the Oscars televised for the whole world, the actor made a revolutionary act and decided not to accept the award, defending the indigenous people against Hollywood.
This year marks an extremely important anniversary for the history of cinema: the first film of The Godfather is half a century old. The trilogy, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, became an icon of cinema for many reasons.
Coppola not only approached the mafia from a more humanized side and where the family takes the main role, but also had a whole series of factors that hovered around the trilogy.
From his push and pull with the Italian mafia, the conflicts with Paramount, the selection of actors and even the participation of mafia groups in the films, are some of the events that marked this legend of cinema.
But even the controversies hovered around Coppola's tape after it was released. Because not only the voice had its director, but also the protagonists of it.
One of the most memorable events surrounding this trilogy, which also happened almost 50 years ago, was Marlon Brando's rejection of his Oscar for Best Actor.
Exactly today, which coincides with the eve of this year's gala, Marlon sent an indigenous figure to reject the award, considering that Hollywood should put emphasis beyond rewarding actors.
THE DAY MARLON BRANDO REJECTED THE OSCAR
On March 27, 1973, Marlon Brando asked Apache Sacheen Littlefeather to decline the award for him and sent her to the ceremony to give a meaningful protest speech.
It was the first time in the history of the awards that they were televised globally. And although it was not the first time that an actor had decided to reject the award, Brando was a pioneer in the reasons why he decided to take this initiative.
The Godfather had turned out to be a success, overcoming political and economic barriers and thus, managed to come to fruition. However, the controversy was not relegated after its premiere and this fact marked a before and after in history.
At the time, Sacheen was the chair of the National Committee for the Affirmative Image of Native Americans and it was she who took the stage that night to announce the actor's decision.
“Tonight I come on behalf of Marlon Brando who unfortunately declines this generous award. And that's because of the mistreatment of American Indians today by the film industry, on television, in reruns, and recently at Wounded Knee," she said in front of all the guests at the ceremony.
The videos of the night are faithful witnesses that the young woman's words were not well received by Brando's colleagues. The boos and murmurs in the room were loud, though she wouldn't let that detract from her purpose.
"Excuse me," Sacheen said, and after a brief pause, she called herself silent. Many of those present began to applaud in support of the Apache and silenced those who disagreed with the actor.
"I pray that I have not been a nuisance tonight and that we wish that, in the future, our hearts and understanding will be met with love and generosity." She thus closed her speech and immediately refused to take the statuette from the podium.
BRANDO'S EXTENDED COMMUNICATION
The actor, who played Don Vito Corleone in the film, sent his representative with an extensive statement that he later gave to the press. It was the New York Times that published this letter for all the attendees who were perplexed by the decision.
"For 200 years we have told the indigenous people: Only if you lay down your arms, my friends, can we talk about peace and reach an agreement that is good for you," he begins by saying the letter.
“When they laid down their arms, we killed them. We lie to them. We stole their land. We made them starve so they would sign fraudulent agreements that we call treaties that we never fulfilled”, he listed, among many other situations.
“But there is one thing that is beyond the reach of this perversity and that is the tremendous verdict of history. And history will surely judge us,” she says bluntly.
The actor insists that history marks the conquerors as glorious, although they were the ones who led humanity to misery. "It seems that respect for principles and love of neighbor have become dysfunctional in this country," he said.
“Everything we have done, everything we have achieved with our power is simply to kill the hopes of the newly born countries in this world.”
"Perhaps right now you're wondering what the hell all this has to do with the Academy Awards?" she wrote in unspoken question. “I think the answer is that the film community has been as responsible as anyone for demeaning the Indian and making fun of his character, portraying him as savage, hostile and evil.”
"It's hard enough for kids to grow up in this world," she said. And he reinforced the position against the image that Indian children have of what they see on television of their race.
“I, as a member of this profession, do not feel that as a United States citizen I can accept an award here tonight. I believe that awards in this country at this time are inappropriate to be received or given until the condition of American Indians is drastically altered."
SACHEEN'S STORY 50 YEARS LATER
At 74, Littlefeather admitted that she does not regret that moment. Her representative, at that time, of the Native Americans, recounted the uncomfortable and dark moments that she lived before and after her announcement.
The artist told her that that appearance meant the end of her career, although she allowed her to send a forceful and fighting message to all her Native American peers.
“I didn't use swear words, I didn't raise my voice or use my fist. I prayed for my ancestors to help me, I went up there as a warrior woman, with the grace, beauty, courage and humility of my people. I spoke from the heart," the woman said in an interview with The Guardian.
According to the woman, this revolutionary act that they planned between Marlon Brando and the community was not pleasantly received at all. Rather, she remembered that John Wayne had to be restrained from lunging at her.
“During my performance, he came towards me to force me off the stage. Six security men had to hold him down,” Littlefeather said.
The revolutionary act of these two figures marked the first time in history that the Oscars were used as a screen for a political ideology.
