Anora, a low budget independent film from one of my favorite film companies, NEON, took home the Best Picture Oscar at the 97th Academy Awards, held this past Sunday night.
Nominated for six awards, the film won five. Besides Best Picture, Anora won for Best Actress (Mikey Madison) and Best Direction, Screenplay and Film Editing. What’s even more remarkable is that the last four awards were won by one person, Sean Baker. In doing so, Mr. Baker ties Walt Disney for most Oscar wins by one person in one ceremony.
Adrien Brody was named Best Actor for the second time in his career for his work in The Brutalist while the Latvian film Flow took home the prize for Best Animated Feature. Emilia Perez, which led all films with (13) nominations, only won two awards – Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldana and Best Song for “El Mal.” Kieran Culkin was named Best Supporting Actor for his work in the film A Real Pain.
1st time host Conan O’Brien was funny and comfortable throughout the evening, though I found the fact that he felt the need to highlight the 20th Anniversary of Kill Bill and ignore the 50th Anniversary of JAWS unconscionable. Maybe the Academy will remember ROCKY next year!
Here is a complete list of winners:
Best picture
- “Anora”
Best actress
- Mikey Madison, “Anora”
Best actor
- Adrian Brody, “The Brutalist”
Best supporting actor
- Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”
Best supporting actress
- Zoe Saldaña, “Emilia Pérez”
Best director
- Sean Baker, “Anora”
Best cinematography
- “The Brutalist,” Lol Crawley
Best animated feature
- “Flow”
Best animated short
- “In the Shadow of the Cypress”
Best costume design
- “Wicked,” Paul Tazewell
Best original screenplay
- “Anora,” Sean Baker
Best adapted screenplay
- “Conclave,” Peter Straughan
Best makeup and hairstyling
- “The Substance”
Best film editing
- “Anora,” Sean Baker
Best production design
- “Wicked,” Nathan Crowley, Lee Sandales
Best original song
- “El Mal,” “Emilia Pérez” (Clement Ducol, Camille & Jacques Audiard)
Best documentary short
- “The Only Girl in the Orchestra”
Best documentary feature
- “No Other Land,” Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham & Rachel Szor
Best sound
- “Dune: Part Two”
Best visual effects
- “Dune: Part Two”
Best live-action short
- “I’m Not a Robot”
Best international feature\
- “I’m Still Here,” Walter Salles (Brazil)
Best original score
- “The Brutalist,” Daniel Blumberg