The 97th Annual Academy Awards went live on ABC/Hulu on Sunday, March 2nd, and boy, was it a show. Sean Baker is the first person in Oscar history to win four awards for the same movie. A film following a young Brooklyn stripper’s marriage with a Russian oligarch’s son, “Anora” won best picture, director, original screenplay and editing. Baker was recognized for all of these roles for the film, and drew attention to the importance of making independent films. He ended the night saying, “This film was made on the blood, sweat and tears of incredible indie artists — and long live independent film.”
The star of “Anora”, Mikey Madison, took home best actress, which came to many’s surprise. Demi Moore had previously won best actress at the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice, and the Screen Actors Guild for her role in horror, psychological thriller, “The Substance”. Meanwhile, Zoe Saldana became the first American of Dominican descent to win best supporting actress, and Kieran Culkin won best supporting actor for “A Real Pain”.
Adrian Brody broke the record for the longest acceptance speech, running for five minutes and thirty-seven seconds, after winning best actor for “The Brutalist”. Brody first won this honor when he was 29 years old in “The Pianist”, just a few months older than fellow nominee, Timothee Chalamet. Chalamet was up for “A Complete Unknown” making him the youngest two-time Best Actor Oscar nominee since James Dean. If he would have won over Brody, that would have made him the youngest to ever win best actor.
The ceremony was filled with musical fun as Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, both nominated for “Wicked”, opened the ceremony with a beautiful medley from the fan-favorite movie. Later on in the night, Queen Latifah honored Quincy Jones, famous producer and composer. Quincy was nominated for seven Oscars throughout his career, and received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award two weeks after he passed in November 2024.The Academy also honored the James Bond franchise after the stewards of the series gave creative control to Amazon. Stars like Lisa of Blackpink, Doja Cat, and Raye all performed renditions of famous songs within the soundtrack. Margaret Qualley even made an appearance dancing to the film’s theme.
The most memorable moments of the night were found in the victories of diversity. Paul Tazewell became the first black man to win best costume design for his work on “Wicked”, and ‘Flow’ winning best animated feature, the first for Latvia filmmaker, Gints Zilbalodis.
Although the Academy Awards was brought with criticism over “Emilia Perez” being nominated for 13 slots as well as neglecting “Challengers” (directed by Luca Guadagnino) from being nominated at all, seeing independent films like “Anora” and “Nickel Boys” being nominated for best picture is moving. It sparks hope for working filmmakers and future filmmakers to be recognized for their importance in the industry and their art being seen on a bigger stage.
