St. Lawrence University Alumnus Garners Oscar for Best Film

Notwithstanding the surrounding controversies, the Oscars presented the Best Picture for 2019, to 'Green Book', a film that depicts black piano prodigy Don Shirley's evolving friendship with Italian driver Tony "Lip" Vallelonga during a 1962 tour of the Jim Crow-era deep south.

St. Lawrence University's alum, actor Viggo Mortensen 80' portrayal of Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga, a wise guy nightclub bouncer from the Bronx adds to Mortensen's long list of accomplishments as a poet, painter, photographer, activist, writer and actor.

A few of controversies centered on the Shirley family itself; before the movie was written, the Shirley family was contacted for support and the Shirley family refused. The Shirley family made it clear, Vallelonga and Dr. Shirley were an employer - employee relationship.

The Shirley family were never contacted during writing or filming and subsequently denounced the finished product, going as far as saying Black Panther, Roma and Blackkklansman should have won the Oscar for Best Picture. Add to that, once the award was given director, Peter Farrelly didn't thank the Shirley family in his acceptance speech.

Controversies aside, Viggo Mortensen, SLU Class of 1980, is an artistic power to be reckoned with who has enlivened characters in over 40 films, 'establishing an international presence in the movie industry with acclaim for his work and universal respect for his work ethic. He has published 16 books of his poems, photographs and paintings.' He's produced 16 CDs of music and spoken word. As well, Mortensen founded and supports Perceval Press, an independent enterprise that publishes art, words and music from people all over the world. According to many, he has spoken his beliefs about human rights, justice and peace with candor, and has acted on those beliefs in quiet yet transformative ways.

St. Lawrence University will present Viggo Mortensen, the degree Doctor of Arts, honoris causa, recognizing that Viggo Mortensen lives his own adage: "In life, it's the effort you make to try and understand [that] keeps you alive and open. It is more important to ask questions than to find answers."