I don't know what it says about the American political system and equality of the sexes in the U.S., but in my recent poll, 56% of visitors felt we'd see a vampire film win a Best Picture Oscar before we'd see a woman become president of the U.S. Both are never-before-seen events, and I asked which one would likely come first.
Keep in mind that the odds of seeing a vampire film win Best Picture are pretty slim. The only Oscar wins I could dig up for the genre are 1992's Bram Stoker's Dracula's Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Makeup, and Best Costume Design Academy Awards. Martin Landau won Best Actor for playing Bela Lugosi playing Dracula in 1994's Ed Wood, but that seems to be the only Oscar win for an actor in a vampire-related role. If I've missed a win (not a nomination, but a win), let me know. I don't believe a vampire movie has ever received a Best Picture nomination.
Will any of 2009's vampire films beat the odds and wind up a Best Picture winner? Umm...I kind of doubt it. They may become blockbusters, but if an award-winning, critically acclaimed film like Let the Right One In fell through the Oscar cracks this year, I'd say the movie would have to be the Citizen Kane of vampire films to win over young and old Academy voters alike. I hope I'm wrong, though. If we have to wait for a vampire Best Picture win before we can see a female U.S. president, then let's get that prestigious undead flick made as soon as possible. Spielberg? Could you perhaps create a film about a WWII vampire hero, please?
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I am not at all surprised.
For a while the female president choice was taking the lead. I agree that the final outcome isn't surprising.
I suspect had Sweden offered LTROI as its entry for the Foreign Language Film, it might have stood a chance of winning that award. As it happens, the Academy membership is slowly changing (i.e. dying) ever day. It took Spielberg many years even to get a nomination! Meanwhile, truly top-knotch English language vampire flicks are being made and acknowledged--Shadow of the Vampire for example as well as Interview and Nadja. Give it time and there's a good chance.
A woman president is, imho, a more difficult matter because it involves more individuals having to violate the paradigm.
Zahir: You're right about about "truly top-knotch English language vampire flicks...being made and acknowledged." Shadow of the Vampire, among other films, has certainly helped elevate the concept of vampire cinema.
Perhaps the opinion about female presidents will be like the Academy Awards: as the older generations move on, generations more tolerant and comfortable with equality will gradually become the voting majority.
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