Anora’s Actual-Life Fairytale: 5-Oscar Victory for Indie Movie | Festivals & Awards
Fairytales do come true. For “Anora,” it got here 5 instances with wins for the movie itself, Sean Baker (a record-breaking 4 himself for Image, Director, Enhancing, and Authentic Screenplay) and main girl Mikey Madison (Finest Actress).
The 97th Annual Academy Awards kicked off and was filled with magic, displaying love for the Metropolis of Angels with a montage of movies shot in and across the Los Angeles space over the a long time. From Oscar winners Adrien Brody and Halle Berry on the purple carpet to “Sing Sing” Screenwriter ‘Divine G’ Whitfield proclaiming “…theatrical arts save lives,” to “On The Purple Carpet” host Julianne Hough taking time to pay homage to the Indigenous land in Hollywood and across the nation, it was clear the night was being set as much as be stylish and respectful to the previous and the current.
With a fast click on of Judy Garland’s ruby slippers and that iconic voice saying, “There’s no place like residence,” Supporting Actress nominee Ariana Grande appeared on the finish of a rainbow with encrusted ruby purple pumps, delivering an emotional rendition of Garland’s “Someplace Over the Rainbow.”
Joined by her “Wicked” co-star and Finest Actress nominee Cynthia Erivo, the duo broke into the movie’s signature track, “Defying Gravity.” Grande gazing from the sidelines as Erivo hit that iconic notice impressed a much-deserved standing ovation for each artists as a purple coronary heart hovered above them amid a picture of Hollywood.
And the tributes didn’t cease there. Halle Berry launched one for the James Bond movie franchise enhanced with performances from LISA, RAYE and Doja Cat (channeling the legendary Shirley Bassey with “Diamonds Are Ceaselessly” whereas actually dripping in diamonds).
The late Quincy Jones (the primary Black nominee for rating) was celebrated with a colourful rendition of “Ease on Down the Street” by Queen Latifah, whereas Oscar winner Gene Hackman (who handed away only a few days earlier than the telecast) was remembered by Morgan Freeman.
After all, there’s at all times a bit of drama threatening to upset the steadiness of the night. Anti-war group Code Pink staged pro-Palestine protestors to dam site visitors close to the Dolby Theatre. Former Vice-President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff had been scheduled however made the last-minute choice to not attend for a wide range of causes which weren’t available on the time of the telecast. Beloved motion movie star Harrison Ford dipped out as a presenter because of being recognized with shingles. Most speeches had been surprisingly devoid of politics, besides that presenter Daryl Hannah did shout out Ukraine, and the historic documentary win for “No Different Land” led to rapturous applause and requires peace from the winners.
On the flip facet, fantastic surprises like iconic movie duo presenters Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, former 9-time Oscar host Billy Crystal alongside Meg Ryan, legendary rocker Mick Jagger hopping out to current Finest Authentic Tune had been joyous to witness, as was Quentin Tarantino displaying as much as current the Finest Director award.
It was no shock statuettes had been handed out to Kieran Culkin, Zoe Saldaña, Adrien Brody, and Paul Tazewell (Finest Costume Design), who’ve collectively swept awards season with a number of exceptions right here and there.
The little indie engine that might, “Anora” pulled out wins for Finest Enhancing, Finest Authentic Screenplay, Finest Director and a Finest Actress in a Movement Image honor for Mikey Madison.
Madison vowed in her acceptance speech that she wish to “acknowledge and honor the intercourse employee neighborhood, proceed to help and be an ally.”
Many viewers tune in simply to observe the speeches, which are sometimes the most effective a part of the present starting from unpredictable and hilarious to political.
“A Actual Ache’s” Kieran Culkin reminded his spouse she promised him a fourth youngster if he gained an Oscar, to which he jokingly, however significantly said “…let’s get cracking on these youngsters.”
Finest Actor Adrien Brody humbly said, “…appearing is a really fragile occupation. It seems to be very glamorous and in sure moments it’s, however the one factor that I’ve gained having the privilege to return again right here is to have some perspective. And regardless of the place you might be in your profession, it doesn’t matter what you’ve completed, it will possibly all go away. And what makes this evening so particular is the attention of that, and the gratitude I’ve to nonetheless do the work that I really like” He proclaimed that he would do his half for a “wholesome, happier and inclusive world” and that his win tonight was a “…reminder to not let hate go unchecked. Let’s rebuild collectively.”
The 2025 awards season was an actual rollercoaster, and, by the tip of the night, a bit of love and magic was virtually evenly distributed for everybody to take pleasure in (the one Finest Image nominees to go residence empty-handed had been “A Full Unknown” and “Nickel Boys.”
“Anora’s” large win for indie movie can also be reminder that typically the artwork is sufficient. Let’s heed the calling from Sean Baker and do our greatest to not lose an important a part of our tradition: leisure.
Image: “Anora”
Actor in a Main Function: Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”
Actress in a Main Function: Mikey Madison, “Anora”
Actor in a Supporting Function: Kieran Culkin, “A Actual Ache”
Actress in a Supporting Function: Zoe Saldaña, “Emilia Pérez”
Directing: Sean Baker, “Anora”
Animated Function Movie: “Circulate”
Animated Quick Movie: “Within the Shadow of the Cypress”
Cinematography: “The Brutalist”
Costume Design: “Depraved”
Documentary Function Movie: “No Different Land”
Documentary Quick Movie: “The Solely Woman within the Orchestra”
Movie Enhancing: “Anora”
Worldwide Function Movie: “I’m Nonetheless Right here”
Make-up and Hairstyling: “The Substance”
Music (Authentic Rating): “The Brutalist”
Music (Authentic Tune): “El Mal” from “Emilia Pérez”
Manufacturing Design: “Depraved”
Stay Motion Quick Movie: “I’m Not a Robotic”
Sound: “Dune: Half Two”
Visible Results: “Dune: Half Two”
Writing (Tailored Screenplay): “Conclave” by Peter Straughan
Writing (Authentic Screenplay): “Anora” by Sean Baker
