The Oscars 2026 saw the acting elite from across the Western world come together to celebrate another year in cinema. Presented by Conan O’Brien, the event was the usual display of glitz and glam as some of the most privileged people in the world came together.
However, like previous years, some actors and actresses showed what it is to stay connected to their humanity. Amongst calls for “ICE out”, there was a considerable show of solidarity with Palestinians and a rejection of the pro-war rhetoric in the US.
Once again, Javier Bardem stood on the right side of history. Having advocated against the war on Iraq, Bardem says “no to war” on Iran:
“No to war and Free Palestine”
— Javier Bardem at the Oscars pic.twitter.com/qoyMZ8gEM4
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 16, 2026
Oscars: ‘No War’
Since the genocide began on Gaza after October 7th, the mainstream media has largely pushed the narrative that celebrities shouldn’t get political. This cynical attitude has flared a few times in British society, with Marcus Rashford coming under fire for opposing government policy around free school dinners. There is a reason that the establishment is scared; whenever a public figure shows they care, it has a huge impact on wider society.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the captured media and political class seek to diminish and silence influential figures from sharing their perspective around controversial and upsetting issues.
Unperturbed, celebrities at the Oscars resisted this attempt at repression, speaking freely wherever possible to advocate for peace and compassion. They also confronted the non-existent ‘ceasefire’ in Gaza which has seen 601 murdered by the Israeli military and a further 1,601 injured.
Oscars attendees demand ‘Ceasefire’ in Gaza- despite a ceasefire being in place since October 2025.
“We’re demanding a permanent ceasefire because there is no ceasefire right now.”
They have also called for a ceasefire in the U.S. over ICE.
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) March 16, 2026
“ICE Out” says Thales Junqueira, as he reminds that no human is illegal:
Nenhum ser humano é ilegal! Thales Junqueira, da direção de arte de ‘O Agente Secreto’, está usando um broche ICE OUT na cerimônia do Oscar de hoje. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/8SQAbUfrEx
— Sâmia Bomfim (@samiabomfim) March 15, 2026
Guy Pearce equally stood firm calling for Palestinian liberation:
Australian actor Guy Pearce rocks a Free Palestine pin at the #Oscars
— sarah (@sahouraxo) March 3, 2025
Bardem: You can be more than ‘one thing’
When asked why he felt it was important to speak about Palestine, Bardem reminded that people can be more than just one thing and you can be a public figure that opposes genocide – if you actually want to be:
Javier Bardem on his “Free Palestine” remark at the #Oscars: “It’s important to understand that you can be part of the movie-making community and also be a citizen who uses this huge speaker to denounce injustice.” pic.twitter.com/TxgtuwomBx
— Variety (@Variety) March 16, 2026
Bardem spoke further on how he protested against the war on Iraq, and why he continues to resist. Wearing his “No a la Guerra” badge from 2003 once again, Bardem protests against another illegal war waged by the US.
This principled actor shows he values the truth as he confronts Western lies about the Middle East:
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American director David Borenstein of Mr Nobody Against Putin also had strong words for repressive and murderous regimes, prompting many to draw comparisons between Russia and the United States:
The most important Oscar speech tonight wasn’t about film.
The director of “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” just said this from the stage:
“You lose your country through countless small acts of complicity. When we act complicit when a government murders people on the streets. When… pic.twitter.com/fRv9mXMptd
— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) March 16, 2026
A reminder of the ‘wars’ being waged through blind hate and supremacy:
An Israeli man ran over a 6-year-old Palestinian girl with his car in the occupied West Bank as she played outside her home
pic.twitter.com/dm1hWYmxs9
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) March 15, 2026
Warning from Russia
It is wonderful to see principles and compassion on clear display from some at the Oscars this year. However, possibly most powerful, is the warning being given by Russian director and teacher Pavel Talankin. Talankin has seen his country engaged in a brutal war of aggression on another sovereign territory, he has seen the propaganda and indoctrination attempts.
In light of that, he and his fellow American co-director are sending a stark warning to US citizens:
In the name of the future, in the name of all our children, stop all these wars now.
Featured image via the Canary
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