Saudi- Oscar nominees relax at luncheon

(MENAFN- Arab News) BEVERLY HILLS California: Awards season is a stressful endeavor for even the most seasoned actor or actress but at the Oscar nominee luncheon everyone is still a winner.

The annual event which took place Monday at the Beverly Hilton is one of the rare low-pressure respites from the madness where over 150 nominees (out of 195) including the likes of Michael Keaton Reese Witherspoon Bradley Cooper Rosamund Pike and Eddie Redmayne can meet mingle and enjoy each other's company before the golden statuettes are handed out on Feb. 22.

Best actress contender Julianne Moore ('Still Alice') said backstage that the luncheon feels more like a massive press junket where everyone is in the same movie than an actual competition.

'I've worked with so many of the other nominees' she said adding that they've all gotten to know each other well on the monthslong awards trail.

Laura Dern nominated for her supporting performance in 'Wild' said that her Hollywood lineage has made events like this a homecoming of sorts. 'Some of my best friends are in that room and happen to be nominated also' she said.

There was no tension between competing movies and casts in the ballroom either.

Oprah Winfrey a producer of best picture nominee 'Selma' greeted best actor nominee Keaton ('Birdman') at the luncheon and went in for a hug. Keaton battling a cold tried to avoid the contact but Winfrey hugged him anyway and gave him a high-five. 'What a ride!' she exclaimed.

While much of the chatter stayed light and joyful backstage 'American Sniper' nominee Bradley Cooper took a moment to reflect on the politically polarizing movie and the fact that his character Chris Kyle was killed exactly two years ago today.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs opened the event which only has lunch mingling and the famous 'class photo' on the schedule.