Comedian Jon Stewart will host the 78th annual Academy Awards ceremony, and Eugeneans will get the chance to see him in action this Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Bijou Art Cinemas’ ninth-annual presentation of the awards show. All proceeds will go to the local non-profit organization Womenspace.
The Bijou will auction off movie posters, Bijou Gift Certificates and donated items from nearby charities during commercial breaks.
“It’s a lot of fun if you care about Hollywood at all. The folks who come are really into it; they scream and cheer and clap,” Bijou manager Louise Thomas said.
Thomas believes that Womenspace is an appropriate charity for the event and one that deserves attention. Womenspace is an organization that has been providing services to battered women and their children in the Eugene area for almost 25 years. It has grown from a small shelter into a multi-faceted organization that provides extensive support and community outreach to women.
To follow Bijou tradition, Sunday night’s event will feature a no-host bar that will serve beer, wine and champagne, as well as hors d’oeuvres provided by local restaurants, including Bene Gourmet Pizza, Poppi’s Anatolia, Cafe Yumm, Cafe Soriah, Casablanca and Palace Bakery. Attendees can also look forward to some local celebrities making an appearance on the Bijou’s red carpet.
Thomas remained mum on exactly who these celebrities are, but she did hint that they are local TV personalities.
Attendees are encouraged to dress up in their most formal clothes, but jeans and T-shirts are also welcome.
This year’s Oscar contenders are films that rely heavily on social messages, have lower budgets than most blockbusters and are nontraditional compared to previous nominees. “Brokeback Mountain,” directed by Ang Lee, tells the story of a lifelong bond between two men that takes a look at both sexual and social repression. George Clooney directs and stars in “Good Night, and Good Luck,” which shows resentment and deeply rooted anger within the U.S. media, while Steven Spielberg’s “Munich” examines the hostile state of Israeli and American politics.
“Capote,” directed by Bennett Miller, looks at the life of Truman Capote, the author of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” An often times shocking look at race and social relations in the United States is addressed in Paul Haggis’ film “Crash,” which Roger Ebert has called “a movie of intense fascination.”
“I always root for Bijou movies. We played ‘Capote’ for many, many weeks,” Thomas said. She added that she thinks “Capote” has a good chance of winning best picture, and that Philip Seymour Hoffman, who portrays Capote, is likely for best actor. “(But) I’m rooting for George Clooney in every possible category,” she said.
Tickets for Sunday’s event are $10 in advance and $12 on the day of the show. Ticket purchases are tax deductible as a charitable donation. Thomas encourages people to get tickets quickly because the Bijou is expecting a full house. Tickets can be purchased after 5:30 p.m. every day at the Bijou, located at 492 E. 13th Ave.

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