Oscars used to shine light on issues such as ALS, suicide prevention
LOS ANGELES (WLS) -- It's the one night when Hollywood's brightest stars come out to shine in what's become TV's biggest fashion show.
But this year, perhaps more than any other, the Academy Awards shined a light on issues raised by the very movies it chose to honor.
"This belongs to all those people around the world battling ALS," said Eddie Redmayne during his acceptance speech.
When Redmayne walked onstage at the Academy Awards Sunday night to accept the Oscar for Best Actor, it was to celebrate not just a brilliant performance, but a brilliant man - physicist Stephen Hawking. He's battled ALS most of his adult life.
"The Theory of Everything" was just one of two honored films to highlight not often talked about diseases. The second one was "Still Alice," in which Julianne Moore portrays a woman battling early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
"It's just so gratifying because for so many years, Alzheimer's disease has just flown below the radar," said Nancy Rainwater of the Alzheimer's Association.
"Sometimes actors and actresses get up there and advance some cause that has nothing to do with them. They just want to further their agenda," said Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times film critic. "At least this year, the movies themselves were about the issues, so it makes sense."
But probably one of the most emotional moments of the night was when Chicagoan Graham Moore got up on stage to accept his award for Best Adapted Screenplay for "The Imitation Game."
"When I was 16-years-old, I tried to kill myself because I felt different and I felt weird and I felt like I did not belong. And now I'm standing here," Moore said during his speech.
For suicide prevention activists, Moore's speech is just what is needed to remove the stigma that often accompanies any discussion of mental illness.
"It's kind of like a positive confirmation," said Anne Gulotta, American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. "'Hey I've been there. I know how you feel and I want to see your lives change,'"
A true example of how film and celebrity can be used not just to entertain, but also to educate.
Alzheimer's Association
24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900
To get involved:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
If you are in crisis:
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
