PETALING JAYA – Yuna’s On Ghost Ridge is one of the 91 songs long-listed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the Best Original Song category at next year’s Oscars.
Written by award-winning music composer Nicholas Pike, the song is featured in the documentary film 100 Years: One Woman’s Fight For Justice.
Directed by Melinda Janko, the film tells of a woman’s fight for justice for a group of Native Americans.
In 1996, Elouise Cobell filed the largest class action lawsuit against the US government for the mismanagement of their mineral-rich lands.
“On Ghost Ridge is a meaningful song for a very meaningful film. Since I am passionate about social justice, I am happy to be part of something so huge and special,” Yuna, 30, said in a phone interview with The Star.
“Everyone who worked on the project was pure-hearted, kind and sincere.
“So, I feel very happy that the song has been long-listed for the Oscars.”
This is not the first time Yuna has been in the long-list.
Her duet with Owl City, Shine Your Way from the movie The Croods, was one of the 75 songs that competed in the Academy Awards two years ago. The song didn’t make the final cut.
Yuna’s third international album, Chapters, was released in May and featured the hit single Crush, a duet with superstar Usher.
The song went to No. 3 on the Billboard Adult R&B charts.
Chapters is placed No. 7 for the year by Billboard’s critics as the 10 Best R&B Albums of the year.
Yuna is in good company as artistes such as Beyonce, Rihanna and John Legend are also included in the list.
“This year has been a fulfilling one for me. I got the chance to go to many countries on tour and meet my fans from all around the world.
“So yes, it has been successful year and hopefully this will continue in 2017,” Yuna said.
The short-list will be announced on Jan 24.
The 89th Academy Awards will be held on Feb 26.
