Cate Blanchett, Guillermo del Toro, Bill Nighy and more stars walked the red (er, champagne) Oscars carpet wearing blue ribbons.
But why? For what? The #WithRefugees ribbons are associated with UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, and are meant to show solidarity with those around the world who have been forced to flee their homes.
Lesley Paterson, who was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for ‘All Quiet on the Western Front,’ told USA TODAY at Friday’s Women in Film Oscar Party in Hollywood that she wore the ribbon amid the war underway in Ukraine.
“It’s for Ukraine (which is) obviously very dear to our hearts,” she said of her blue pin. “Obviously our film is anti-war in sentiment, so we’re very closely tied to what’s going on.”
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“All Quiet” director Edward Berger told USA TODAY behind the scenes that it’s “just important to support refugees.”
He added: “These are the kind of people who are displaced more than ever, and the film we made also caused a lot of spatial displacement. German history caused a lot of displacement and I think it is to our responsibility, especially in Germany, to help others who are now also seeking refuge in Ukraine.”
Jamie Lee Curtis, Samuel L. Jackson and more stars previously wore #WithRefugees ribbons
Celebrities showing their support for refugees on red carpets have grown in popularity lately. At last year’s Oscars, Jamie Lee Curtis showed off a similar #WithRefugees ribbon.
She admitted to USA TODAY that it’s only fair for others to wonder why an awards show is taking place amid major conflict around the world, and wanted to use her red carpet platform to help move the needle.
“The arts can be transformative agents of change in conflict,” she added. “Wearing a refugee conflict ribbon allows you to shine a light on the refugee crisis, i.e. the number of displaced people…and yet, at the same time, show up and participate in our community .”
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Samuel L. Jackson, “Minari” actress Yuh-Jung Youn and Diane Warren also wore the pins last year.
Showing support for refugees was a simple choice, Warren told USA TODAY at the time. “It’s just a simple thing we can do. It’s not political. It’s just human.”
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