Will Woody Be Honored at the Oscars?

Today in "Ugh, Woody Allen" news: Argentinian artist Hugo Echarri has opened an exhibition in Buenos Aires celebrating Woody Allen, titled (if you can believe it) "We Love Woody So Much." It's a retrospective that spans Allen's career and includes art in his likeness to honor him. It also features the jazz music that is so prominent in Allen's films. The exhibition will be open until March 6, and seems to have no regard for the current accusations Dylan Farrow has made against her stepfather, detailing the sexual abuse she allegedly suffered in her childhood at the hands of Allen (which Allen, of course, denies).

In the wake of Dylan Farrow's open letter that accused Allen of child molestation, the slew of think-pieces supporting both Farrow and Allen (ugh), and Allen's own potentially gaslighting open letter response in The New York Times, it seems that everyone is exhausted. But obviously we can't stop talking about it: we have a responsibility to Dylan Farrow (and to all victims) to bring her justice, especially when she asked all of Hollywood to answer for their silence during Allen's career. And, with the Oscars imminent on March 2, there is an uncomfortable, Allen-shaped elephant in the room — how will the accusations against him affect Woody Allen's chances with the Academy?

This year his film Blue Jasmine was nominated in three categories: Cate Blanchett was nominated as Best Actress for playing the title character Jasmine; Sally Hawkins was nominated for Best Supporting Actress; and Allen was nominated for Best Screenplay.

Blanchett is a favorite as the contender for Best Actress, but should she be awarded the Oscar? Yes, she has a career separate from Allen's, but her response to the allegations has been disappointing. She obliquely stated: "It’s obviously been a long and painful situation for the family... [I hope] they find some resolution and peace.” Does Blanchett deserve a win? Does Hawkins? These are not the right questions; but we should all recognize that any endorsement of Blue Jasmine is an endorsement of Allen himself, and a further silencing of Dylan Farrow.

But the Academy, much like Hugo Echarri, "loves Woody Allen so much." Allen is one of the most decorated Oscar darlings of all time, with 4 wins and 24 nominations over his career. There's a sense of uneasiness as the 2014 ceremony approaches; will the Academy choose to honor Allen's art, separate from his status right now as an accused abuser?

I hope not, but that remains to be seen.

Image: Getty Images