This Year's Governor Awards Recipients Are...

David Lynch

As fun as it is to see who wins competitive Oscars every year, it's just as exciting to see who is going to receive a Governor's Award. Every year has produced an interesting collection of recipients, all voted upon by Oscar voters. This year is no different, as the results have produced an exciting array of talent that ranges from directors to actors who have made a strong impact on the industry. the Class of 2019 has indeed an interesting group, which includes David Lynch, Wes Studi, Lina Wertmuller, and the Jean Herscholt Award recipient Geena Davis. It's an exciting group and features one of the most eclectic mixes in recent years.

Regardless of how an Oscar season goes, the Governors Awards is one of the best days for any Oscar voters. There's no competition to worry about as to who will win what. However, it's a chance to honor and celebrate the great careers of artists who have dedicated their lives to the arts. On average, the group often features those outside of acting and major fields, choosing to explore the careers of influential cinematographers, directors, casting agents, and other figures in the industry that have made a difference. In the case of this year, it wouldn't be an understatement to call them an odd group of people.

It's in large part because of David Lynch, who has made a career out of making films that can only be described as "Lynchian." These have included such Best Director or Best Picture nominations like The Elephant Man and Mulholland Drive as well as such oddities as Blue Velvet, Eraserhead, and the TV series Twin Peaks. If you think you're weird, try dealing with Lynch's entire body of work and make sense of what any of it means. 

Similarly, actress Geena Davis is getting the Jean Herscholt Award for her work as a humanitarian. She is best known for her work in film, including an Oscar win for the film The Accidental Tourist and other titles like A League of Their Own. Cherokee-American actor Wes Studi has appeared in over 30 films and has dedicated his life advocating for the better representation of Native Americans. His noteworthy films include Best Picture winner Dances With Wolves and titles like Last of the Mohicans and Heat. 

Among the most exciting recipients is Lina Wertmuller. While the name isn't as familiar to most casual Oscar fans, she is crucial to a piece of Oscar trivia. She is the first woman ever to be nominated for Best Director for the drama Seven Beauties. Along with a Best Screenplay nomination, her story of a thief who ends up in a Nazi concentration camp captured audiences at the time. As a disciple of Federico Fellini, her work has explored political and sexual conflict over decades of film. Her other films include The Seduction of Mimi, Love and Anarchy, Swept Away, and A Night Full of Rain.

While this list feels more conventional than most years, it's still an exciting group with artists that reflect a variety of talent within the industry. With the ceremony once again being broadcasted on YouTube, there's plenty for fans who can't get into the room to enjoy. More details will be announced in the months to come including who will be speaking on each person's behalf. For now, it's exciting to think of what will happen in this new season. After a divisive Oscar season, it feels like President John Bailey is at least starting to appeal to audiences again in a way that feels more positive and progressive. It's a nice that's as much about representing talent as it is diversity within the industry. If that's not a good representation of a line-up, then I don't know what is.