Can the Oscars lobbying machine ever be fair?

<p>This week the final round of voting opens for the 95th Academy Awards – and the Oscars are embroiled in a row about diversity again. The latest controversy centres around a shock nomination for best actress, raising questions about the fairness of the system. Just how significant are race, power and celebrity friends in the campaign to win an Oscar?</p><p><em>This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.</em></p><p><strong>Guest:</strong>&nbsp;Kevin Maher, chief film critic, The Times. </p><p><strong>Host:&nbsp;</strong>David Aaronovitch. </p><p>Clips: ITV,&nbsp;ABC, Good Morning America, BBC,&nbsp;NBC, Nine Network.</p><p>Film credits: Gladiator - Dreamworks Pictures/Universal Pictures; Till - MGM Studios/Orion Pictures; The Woman King - Sony Pictures/Entertainment One; To Leslie - Momentum Pictures; Shakespeare In Love -&nbsp;Miramax Films/Universal Pictures.</p><p><br></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>