Mothers, ACLU ribbons and ‘Hidden Fences’ all made the red carpet memorable

Before the Academy Awards were handed out on Sunday, the red carpet reflected everything from politics to diversity in film to who makes the perfect date for the awards show.

4:15 p.m.: Academy Award attendees on Sunday made activism a must-have red-carpet accessory.

Those blue ribbons affixed to the formal attire worn by model Karlie Kloss, original song nominee Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Loving” nominee Ruth Negga and “Moonlight” director Barry Jenkins represented the American Civil Liberties Union’s new “Stand With ACLU” initiative.

By wearing the pin, the celebrities were showing their support “for the rights and civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution to everyone in the United States,” the ACLU said in a statement.

“I’m wearing an ACLU ribbon because they’re fighting incredible fights right now for American ideals,” Miranda said. — Nardine Saad

4:32 p.m.:

Jess Cagle, editorial director of People and Entertainment Weekly, was discussing Hollywood diversity on the red carpet when he became the latest person to accidentally mash up “Hidden Figures” and “Fences” into a singular entity, “Hidden Fences,” which definitely does not exist.

“Hidden Figures” is about three African American women mathematicians working for NASA in the 1960s and stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe.

“Fences” is a film adaptation of the 1983 August Wilson play of the same name and stars Viola Davis and Denzel Washington as a couple struggling through their lives in 1950s Pittsburgh.

“Hidden Fences” is an embarrassing mistake that will earn you the rightful scorn of the Internet for no less than 12 minutes. — Libby Hill

4:46 p.m.: The Oscars were a family affair this year. The go-to date for a few first-time nominees came in the maternal variety.

Like Leonardo DiCaprio and Bradley Cooper before them, “Manchester by the Sea” supporting actor nominee Lucas Hedges got a sweetly embarrassing smooch from his mother, poet and actress Susan Titman, for all to see. “Moana” original song nominee Lin-Manual Miranda was accompanied by his mother, Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda, and “Lion” supporting actor nominee Dev Patel was joined by his mom, Anita Patel. — Nardine Saad

4:47 p.m.: Roger Ross Williams, director of Oscar-nominated documentary “Life, Animated,” took a moment to talk about the importance of diversity while on the red carpet.

“Film has to reflect the real world,” Williams said. “In this political climate, where diversity and difference is looked down upon by the administration, by the president, it’s important that we have a voice.”

Williams also has a leadership role in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as one of three documentary branch governors. He plans to use his power to promote more diversity in Hollywood.

“I think it’s time for Hollywood, it’s time for the academy to step up and fill that gap. It’s not coming from the White House, it’s not coming from Washington, it has to come from us,” Williams said. — Tre’vell Anderson

5 p.m.: Sony Pictures Classics executive Tom Bernard didn’t shy away from the subject of the foreign-language film race, in which Asghar Farhadi’s “The Salesman” won, eclipsing Maren Ade’s ‎”Toni Erdmann” as the previous front-runner.

German submission “Erdmann” appeared to be coasting to a win when Farhadi, who is Iranian, said he would be boycotting the ‎Oscars to protest President Trump’s travel ban. That turned the tide for the director, leading to coverage that didn’t sit well with Sony Pictures Classics.

“It’s fake news that will give Asghar the Oscar,” Bernard told The Times as he walked in to the Dolby Theatre. And he was right. “The media has made the foreign race about a vote against Trump and not about the films.” — Steve Zeitchik

Get your life! Follow me on Twitter (@TrevellAnderson) or email me: trevell.anderson@latimes.com.