A whiff of change, of many kinds, at post-Weinstein Oscars

"Look around, ladies and gentlemen," Frances McDormand said during her best actress acceptance speech. "We all have stories to tell." She was referring to the female Oscar nominees in the Dolby Theatre, all of whom she'd asked to stand in unison. But it felt like she was also addressing the evening's broader vibe: Change, of many kinds, at the first post-Harvey Weinstein Academy Awards.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, from left, Lupita Nyong'o lead other celebrities out of the Dolby Theatre at the Oscars on Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Los Angeles. The group visited a movie theater across the street to surprise movie-goers. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Sam Rockwell, from left, winner of the award for best performance by an actor in a supporting role for "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri", Frances McDormand, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri", Allison Janney, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a supporting role for "I, Tonya", and Gary Oldman, winner of the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for "Darkest Hour", pose in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

There were, of course, plenty of #MeToo moments in Sunday night's ceremony, including an emotional appearance by three of Weinstein's most prominent Hollywood accusers. But there were storylines, too, about different kinds of diversity: racial, geographic, generational.

"This is a door. Kick it open and come in," said Mexican director Guillermo del Toro in the evening's final speech, accepting the best picture award for his warm-hearted fantasy "The Shape of Water." His remarks, too, could be seen in a broader context: Hollywood is ready for something new. At least, that's what this Oscar evening felt like. Here are a few notable moments, both serious and lighthearted:

file photo/"The Shape of Water"

KIMMEL GETS RIGHT TO IT

There had been some question as to whether Jimmy Kimmel would address the elephant in the room, and how soon. Well, he got right to it in his opening monologue, evoking the now-disgraced name of Weinstein, only months ago one of the Oscars' biggest players, now banished from the academy. Kimmel also turned serious, addressing not only sexual misconduct but the gender pay gap. And he told the assembled Hollywood elite: "The world is watching us. We need to set a good example."

Jimmy Kimmel speaks at the Oscars on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

NO MORE DRESS CODE

At the Golden Globes, women wore black. At the Grammys, they carried white flowers. By the time Sunday's Oscars rolled around, the dress code was finished, and talk was of moving ahead to a new phase of #MeToo and Time's Up. "We did the dress code thing," Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo movement, told The Associated Press, "and now we're doing the work. The plan is to continue to do this work to give people resources." She said that millions of people had used the famous hashtag, and they all had stories and needs that must be addressed.

Kaia Burke, left, and Tarana Burke arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

SOMEONE REALLY GOT THE SKI

In a humorous bit that began early and wore well, Kimmel promised a jet ski to the winner with the most concise speech. He even had Helen Mirren pose with the ski, a la "Let's Make A Deal." Then he let the winners riff on it all night. "Obviously I'm not going to win the ski," quipped best-actor winner Gary Oldman ("Darkest Hour") as he dug deeper into his list of thank-yous. The winner: "Phantom Thread" costume designer Mark Bridges, who rode onstage triumphantly in the vehicle at the end of the show — accompanied by Mirren, of course.

Helen Mirren, left, accompanies Mark Bridges, winner for the award for best costume design for "Phantom Thread," as he wins a jet ski for having the shortest acceptance speech at the Oscars on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

HERE'S TO THE ONES THAT DREAM

Although President Donald Trump was barely mentioned during the evening, his policies were referred to in various ways. Presenting an award, Pakistani-born comedian Kumail Nanjiani and Kenyan-born Lupita Nyong'o saluted the so-called Dreamers — immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children and here without permanent protection from deportation. "Like everyone in this room and everyone watching at home, we are dreamers," Nyong'o said. "We grew up dreaming of one day working in the movies. Dreams are the foundation of Hollywood and dreams are the foundation of America." Nanjiani added: "And, so, to all the Dreamers out there, we stand with you."

(File Photo)Emily V. Gordon, left, and Kumail Nanjiani arrive at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

WEINSTEIN ACCUSERS HAVE THEIR MOMENT

It was the most emotional #MeToo moment of the evening: Three actresses who were instrumental in the breaking and unfolding of the Weinstein story, emerging to push for diversity of all kinds in filmmaking.

Ashley Judd, whose accusations appeared in the first New York Times article breaking the story last October, spoke of "the powerful sound of new voices, of different voices, of OUR voices, joining together in a mighty chorus that is finally saying, 'Time's Up!'" Annabella Sciorra, who told The New Yorker magazine in a searing interview that Weinstein had raped her, noted that "the journey ahead is long. But slowly a new path has emerged." And Hayek, who wrote a first-person piece calling Weinstein "my monster too," saluted "those unstoppable spirits who kicked ass and broke through the ... biased perceptions against their gender, race and ethnicity to tell their stories."

Ashley Judd, from left, Annabella Sciorra and Salma Hayek speak at the Oscars on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

MIXED RESULTS FOR WOMEN

Though women were a prime focus of the evening, a few potential milestones were missed. Greta Gerwig, the "Lady Bird" director seeking to become only the second woman to win the category, was passed over for del Toro — as expected. And Rachel Morrison ("Mudbound"), the first woman nominated in cinematography, lost to Roger Deakins ("Blade Runner 2049"), winning on his 14th try. The official winner's list showed only six female winners in 24 categories, compared to 33 men.

Greta Gerwig arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Eric Jamison/Invision/AP)

PEELE MAKES HISTORY

If you ever wanted inspiration to keep plugging away at something, listen to Jordan Peele, who made history as the first African-American to win best original screenplay, for his groundbreaking horror film, "Get Out." (It was also his big-screen directorial debut.) Peele told the crowd: "I stopped writing this movie about 20 times because I thought it was impossible. I thought it wasn't going to work." But he kept trying, he said, "because I knew if someone let me make this movie, that people would hear it and people would see it."

Jordan Peele, winner of the award for best original screenplay for "Get Out," arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

THANKS MOM — AGAIN

Every Oscar ceremony has its poignant shoutouts to Mom. This year, Oldman saluted his almost "99-years-young" mother back at home with the words: "Put the kettle on, I'm bringing Oscar home." And Gerwig, who created such an evocative mother-daughter relationship in "Lady Bird," surely endeared herself even more to the world's mothers when, asked what she would say to her 17-year-old self, she said: "Be nicer to you mother."

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MERYL IN THE MIDDLE

Meryl Streep always seems to be in the middle of the discussion at the Oscars, onstage or not. The actress, nominated yet again for "The Post," didn't win, but people referred to her constantly. Kimmel quipped that she didn't get nominated for a stretch in the '90s, but "that's only because she was in prison." Tiffany Haddish curtsied to Streep on the carpet, then gushed about her onstage. And Jodie Foster and Jennifer Lawrence did a comedy routine about the venerated actress. Foster explained that she was on crutches because Streep "I, Tonya'd me." Lawrence commiserated that Streep had tripped her once.

Meryl Streep arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Eric Jamison/Invision/AP)

McDORMAND HAS SOMETHING TO SAY

She said she had something to say, and she did: McDormand enthusiastically exhorted all the women nominees in the room (especially Streep!) to stand up with her, "the actors, the filmmakers, the producers, the director, the writers, the cinematographer, the composers, the songwriters, the designers...." After urging Hollywood to tell their stories, she ended with a two-word message to fellow women in Hollywood: "Inclusion Rider" — referring to a star's ability to demand in their contract a level of diversity in the staffing of a film, both in front of and behind the camera.

Frances McDormand accepts the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" at the Oscars on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

I'D LIKE TO THANK MYSELF

Some Oscar winners can't help it: They thank everyone in the phone book. Allison Janney took a different tack. The supporting actress winner ("I, Tonya") took the stage and declared: "I did it all by myself." After a sweet smile, she explained that "nothing is farther from the truth" — and gave her thank-yous.

Allison Janney accepts the award for best performance by an actress in a supporting role for "I, Tonya" at the Oscars on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

TOKYO (AP) — The American envoy to the United Nations called Friday for countries armed with atomic weapons to pursue nuclear disarmament as she visited the atomic bomb museum in Nagasaki, Japan.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who became the first U.S. cabinet member to visit Nagasaki, stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy amid a growing nuclear threat in the region.

“We must continue to work together to create an environment for nuclear disarmament. We must continue to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons in every corner of the world,” she said after a tour of the atomic bomb museum.

“For those of us who already have those weapons, we must pursue arms control. We can and must work to ensure that Nagasaki is the last place to ever experience the horror of nuclear weapons,” she added, standing in front of colorful hanging origami cranes, a symbol of peace.

The United States dropped the world’s first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, destroying the city and killing 140,000 people. A second attack three days later on Nagasaki killed 70,000 more people. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II and its nearly half-century of aggression in Asia.

Nagasaki Gov. Kengo Oishi said in a statement that he believed Thomas-Greenfield's visit and her first-person experience at the museum “will be a strong message in promoting momentum of nuclear disarmament for the international society at a time the world faces a severe environment surrounding atomic weapons.”

Oishi said he conveyed to the ambassador the increasingly important role of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in emphasizing the need of nuclear disarmament.

Thomas-Greenfield's visit to Japan comes on the heels of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's official visit to the United States last week and is aimed at deepening Washington's trilateral ties with Tokyo and Seoul. During her visit to South Korea earlier this week, she held talks with South Korean officials, met with defectors from North Korea and visited the demilitarized zone.

The ambassador said the United States is looking into setting up a new mechanism for monitoring North Korea's nuclear weapons program. Russia and China have thwarted U.S.-led efforts to step up U.N. sanctions on North Korea over its ballistic missile testing since 2022, underscoring a deepening divide between permanent Security Council members over Russia’s war on Ukraine.

She said it would be “optimal” to launch the new system next month, though it is uncertain if that is possible.

The U.N. Security Council established a committee to monitor sanctions, and the mandate for its panel of experts to investigate violations had been renewed for 14 years until last month, when Russia vetoed another renewal.

In its most recent report, the panel of experts said it is investigating 58 suspected North Korean cyberattacks between 2017 and 2023 valued at approximately $3 billion, with the money reportedly being used to help fund its weapons development.

The United States, Japan and South Korea have been deepening security ties amid growing tension in the region from North Korea and China.

U.S. Ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, left, and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, right, shake hands during a meeting Friday, April 19, 2024, at prime minister's office in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)

U.S. Ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, left, and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, right, shake hands during a meeting Friday, April 19, 2024, at prime minister's office in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)

U.S. Ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, right, speaks to Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, second right, as they wait for a meeting with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Friday, April 19, 2024, at prime minister's office in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)

U.S. Ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, left, and Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, right, walk to meet Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Friday, April 19, 2024, at prime minister's office in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)

U.S. Ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, left, and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, right, talk prior to a meeting Friday, April 19, 2024, at prime minister's office in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)

U.S. Ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, left, and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, right, prepare to talk during a meeting Friday, April 19, 2024, at prime minister's office in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)