The Oscars get a history lesson

The real women of 'The Favourite' included an 18th-century Warren Buffett [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 23 February 2019 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair Editor's note Millions will tune into the Oscars on Sunday to see which of the eight best picture nominees will emerge victorious. But at least two of them, “The Favourite” and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” gloss over some historical realities. Set in 18th-century England, “The Favourite” revolves around the political and sexual intrigues of Queen Anne and two of her courtiers, Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, and Abigail, Baroness Masham. University of Maryland, Baltimore County history professor Amy Froide writes that the film fails to highlight the revolutionary nature of a female-led state, as well as [the massive amounts of power and influence these women actually possessed](. “Bohemian Rhapsody,” a biopic of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, tells the story of Mercury’s rise to rock superstardom. But according to University of Washington history professor Laurie Marhoefer, while the film acknowledges Mercury’s gay identity, it does little to capture [the tragic prejudice and indifference HIV-positive men like Mercury faced during the AIDS crisis](. “Black Panther” is the first superhero film to be nominated for best picture. Its portrayal of [the wonders black scientists can achieve]( is powerful, writes USC-Dornsife physicist Clifford Johnson – and may help urge young people to transform the real world. Nick Lehr Arts + Culture Editor Top stories Sarah Churchill was an adroit investor and savvy political operative. Government Art Collection [The real women of ‘The Favourite’ included an 18th-century Warren Buffett]( Amy Froide, University of Maryland, Baltimore County While the film introduces viewers to women who were important political figures in British history, it doesn't quite capture just how much power and influence these women actually wielded. The film glosses over the bigotry Mercury faced as a queer man with HIV. AP Photo [The Freddie Mercury story that goes untold in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’]( Laurie Marhoefer, University of Washington In the film, the real tensions of gay life in the 1980s – from government apathy towards the AIDS crisis, to rampant anti-gay prejudice – don't get their due. King of a technologically advanced country, Black Panther is a scientific genius. © 2017 – Disney/Marvel Studios [‘Black Panther’ and its science role models inspire more than just movie awards]( Clifford Johnson, University of Southern California – Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences The film wowed critics and fans. But its hidden power may be black lead characters who are accomplished scientists – just the thing to help inspire future generations to follow in their footsteps. Arts + Culture [Oscars 2019: Beyond the stats, why diversity matters]( Dorinne Kondo, University of Southern California – Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Numbers alone don't relay the importance of people seeing their own experiences and lives mirrored in popular culture. 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