The Hollywood Academy has faced criticism and complaints for omitting two prominent figures from Ibero-American cinema in the In Memoriam segment of the 2025 Oscar ceremony. Silvia Pinal, a Mexican actress, and Marisa Paredes, a Spanish actress, were excluded from this tribute, which triggered widespread discontent on social media.
Silvia Pinal, recognized for her role in the influential film Viridiana and her collaboration with director Luis Buñuel, is considered an icon of Mexican cinema. On the other hand, Marisa Paredes, known for her extensive career and her work with Pedro Almodóvar in films like All About My Mother, an Oscar-winning film, is an essential figure of Spanish cinema.
The omission of these two cinematic legends has sparked a discussion about a purported Hollywood bias that minimizes the contributions of international artists to the film industry. The exclusion of notable figures like Pinal and Paredes reinforces the perception that the Academy still has a limited view focused on the local star system, sidelining the relevance of talents outside of Hollywood.
This controversy reflects a recurring problem in the history of the Oscar awards, where internationally significant figures are often overlooked in the In Memoriam segment. The lack of recognition for artists like Silvia Pinal and Marisa Paredes raises the question: is it a lack of memory on the part of the Academy or a lack of interest in honoring figures from world cinema?
The exclusion of these two iconic actresses has generated a strong debate among film enthusiasts, critics, and followers of Ibero-American cinema, who see this omission as a lack of acknowledgment for the legacy and contribution of Pinal and Paredes to the film industry beyond the borders of Hollywood.
