Paul Schrader is conflicted about first Oscar nomination: 'Never really respected the Academy for their choices'

Writer-director Paul Schrader received the first Oscar nomination of his career in 2019. The Ethan Hawke-starrer religious drama First Reformed is in the running for the  Best Original Screenplay . Speaking about the same with Los Angeles Times, the Taxi Driver and Raging Bull writer had conflicted feelings towards this development. [caption id=“attachment_5953411” align=“alignnone” width=“945”] Paul Schrader (left) and Ethan Hawke in a still from First Reformed (right). Images from Twitter[/caption] “You know, this is a very difficult conversation because I have never really respected the Academy for their choices. On the other hand, I’m enormously gratified that they have selected me. So you live in a kind of conflicted world. Where on one hand you say it truly doesn’t matter. And on the other hand you say, ‘Well, I guess it does matter,’” Schrader told the publication. He said that if the critics had not liked his work, he would still call it a good film. Schrader explained that his validation is not dependent on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences or the critics. But on the other hand, he found it heartening to see people acknowledge his effort. First Reformed follows a middle-aged Protestant minister (played by Hawke) undergoing crisis of faith and morality. The film also stars Amanda Seyfried. The film was nominated for Best Film, Best Male Lead (Hawke), Best Director and Best Screenplay at  2019 Independent Spirit Awards .