The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences received criticism for failing to nominate any female directors this year, which unfortunately is not an uncommon occurrence at the ceremony. In the history of the Oscars, only five women have been nominated for best director, and only one — Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker — has won.
This year, just one of the best picture nominees was directed by a woman: Gerwig’s Little Women.
It has become something of a tradition for Portman to make a statement at award shows. While presenting the best director award at the 2018 Golden Globes, the actor quipped “and now, here are the all-male nominees” before announcing the names.