In a night filled with surprises at the 97th Academy Awards, Sean Baker’s “Anora,” a film about a strip club Cinderella devoid of fairy tale endings, clinched the award for best picture. This Brooklyn-based screwball comedy garnered Baker not only Hollywood’s top accolade but also a total of five Oscars, surpassing rivals like “The Brutalist.” Baker’s triumph marked a significant moment for independent cinema.
Despite winning a single Oscar, “Conclave,” a film centered around papal intrigue, has fostered a fervent online community that has successfully raised over $45,000 for intersex rights charities through zine sales that celebrate the movie’s themes.
The latest Oscars ceremony was one of many firsts. Countries like Latvia and Brazil achieved their first wins ever, in animated and international feature categories, respectively. Paul Tazewell made history as the first Black winner for costume design with “Wicked.” Conversely, Adrien Brody was the only repeated major category winner, taking best actor home for “The Brutalist” once more.
Sean Baker’s “Anora” also took center stage in several key categories. Mikey Madison gained recognition for her role in the film as best actress, symbolizing a career shift from TV to cinema. Baker himself won best director, cementing his reputation for crafting stories with depth around sex workers and immigrants.
Elsewhere during the night, Adrien Brody received the best actor award for his portrayal in “The Brutalist,” a movie about a Hungarian architect’s challenging experiences across three decades. The film’s storyline, touching on diverse artistic and historical themes, helped solidify Brody’s status as a leading cinematic talent.
The Oscars this year also recognized a variety of films from different sectors. “I’m Still Here,” a critical narrative of Brazil’s military dictatorship, took home the award for best international feature. Documenting a different struggle, “No Other Land,” about Palestinians fighting Israeli military actions, won best documentary. The latter, however, saw minimal coverage in Israeli media due to current regional sensitivities.
Celebrating musical achievements, “El Mal” nabbed best original song, performed in “Emilia Pérez” by Clément Ducol, Camille, and Jacques Audiard. Meanwhile, Zoe Saldaña was honored as best supporting actress.
A tribute to James Bond movies also dazzled the audience, marked by performances from global music icons. This came shortly after Amazon MGM acquired creative control over the Bond franchise, energizing the film industry’s outlook on this beloved series.
Adding new layers of intrigue, “Conclave” won best adapted screenplay, highlighting the narrative strength of this papal thriller. Meanwhile, Baker’s own “Anora” received accolades for best original screenplay.
The award for best animated short went to “In the Shadow of the Cypress,” a poignant tale from Iranian filmmakers, illustrating deep themes through animation. This marked Iran’s first victory in the animated short category.
Another notable moment of the night was Kieran Culkin’s win as best supporting actor, capitalizing on his recent sweep of television awards. Host Conan O’Brien brought his trademark sardonic humor to the night, engaging the audience with a lively opening monologue.
The show launched with an impressive musical number featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. “Wicked” emerged as a key feature of the evening with Grande’s performance and Paul Tazewell’s historic win.
In a heartfelt reunion, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg shared a poignant moment on the red carpet, drawing from their shared history in “Ghost.” Meanwhile, actor Guy Pearce made a political statement with his “FREE PALESTINE” pin, acknowledging ongoing conflicts in the region.
The Oscars highlighted shifting dynamics in Hollywood and its broader cultural context, especially with Netflix’s troubled campaign for “Emilia Pérez.” The film, despite its challenges, gained attention for its themes and was met with parody and critique from Mexico, showcasing how cinematic narratives can spark international discourse.
Overall, the 97th Academy Awards proved to be a memorable event filled with historic wins, powerful statements, and a showcase of diverse cinematic talents from around the world.