Local unit has a starring role in ad debuting during the Academy Awards.
As far as Hollywood South goes, 2018 was something of an off-year at the Academy Awards. Two locally made films were nominated — « Mudbound » and « Logan » — but neither wound up in the money when the Oscars were handed out Sunday night (March 4).
But that doesn’t mean New Orleans wasn’t represented during the 90th annual ceremony. You just had to wait for the commercials to see it.
Specifically, you had to wait an hour and 33 minutes into the show — right between the awarding of the trophies for best supporting actress and best animated short — for a new T-Mobile commercial titled, simply, « Parade. »
Declaring T-Mobile « America’s most loved wireless company » — whatever that means — it started with a seemingly dispirited boy sitting on the stoop of his very New Orleans home. Then, he lights up upon hearing the strains of a second-line parade, which soon rounds the corner to reveal a procession of people carpe dieming they hearts away while wearing vivid T-Mobile pink.
Near the front of the parade: the Edna Karr High School marching band from Algiers.
It might not be the same as an Oscar win, but it was a nice tribute to America’s most loved city. (Hey, if T-Mobile can say it…)
For the record, « Mudbound » was nominated for four Oscars: supporting actress and best original song, both for Mary K. Blige; as well as cinematography (for Rachel Morrison, the first woman ever nominated in the category) and adapted screenplay. The sole nomination for « Logan » also came in the adapted screenplay category.
