The 97th Academy Awards saw Anora, a dramedy about a sex worker entangled in a high-stakes marriage, emerge as the night’s big winner, taking home five Oscars, including Best Picture. The film’s director, Sean Baker, made history by winning four Oscars for a single film—Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Picture—cementing his status as a formidable indie filmmaker.
In the acting categories, Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) claimed Best Actor for his role as a troubled architect, while Mikey Madison (Anora) secured Best Actress in a surprise victory. Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) and Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) earned supporting honors.
The awards unfolded against the backdrop of devastating Los Angeles wildfires, with tributes honoring the first responders. The ceremony also celebrated Hollywood’s legacy, featuring a montage of films shot in the city.
Internationally, I’m Still Here brought Brazil its first Best International Feature win, while Flow, a Latvian fantasy film, took Best Animated Feature. No Other Land, a documentary highlighting Palestinian displacement, won despite distribution challenges.
Source: Variety