The 97th Academy Awards have begun at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with Emilia Pérez leading the nominations with 13, closely followed by Wicked and The Brutalist.
The evening kicked off with a powerful musical performance, as Wicked star Ariana Grande performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz, accompanied by a visual tribute to Los Angeles.
The Oscar for Best Documentary went to No Other Land, which tells the story of Palestinian activists working to protect their communities from Israeli military demolitions. The film follows Basel Adra, who documents the destruction of his hometown, risking arrest in the process. He received the award and shared his hopes for his daughter, wishing she would not have to live in fear of violence and displacement.
El Mal from Emilia Pérez won the Oscar for Best Original Song.
Zoe Saldaña won her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez. This marks a significant achievement in her awards season, following her Golden Globe win and accolades from the British Academy Film Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
A musical tribute to James Bond featured global pop stars, starting with Margaret Qualley and dancers, followed by Blackpink's LISA singing "Live and Let Die," Doja Cat performing "Diamonds Are Forever," and RAYE with "Skyfall." This tribute comes after a major shift in the James Bond franchise, with creative control now in the hands of Amazon MGM following its acquisition of MGM Studios in 2022 for $6.1 billion.
The Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay went to Conclave, based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris. The screenplay was written by Peter Straughan, known for his work on The Snowman and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Harris is a seasoned thriller novelist, and his work has been adapted into several films, including The Ghost Writer, a collaboration with director Roman Polanski.
Anora, a Brooklyn-based comedy directed by Sean Baker, won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, with the film considered a strong contender for Best Picture and other categories, including Best Actress for its young star.
In the Shadow of the Cypress, an Iranian animated short by Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi, took home the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. The film, which deals with the emotional relationship between a father suffering from PTSD and his daughter, marks a milestone as the first Iranian animated short to win an Academy Award. It had already won Best Animated Short at the Los Angeles Shorts International Film Festival.
Kieran Culkin won his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain, completing a clean sweep of acting awards in the category following his television success.
Host Conan O'Brien kicked off the Oscars with his signature sarcastic humor, poking fun at Hollywood, the Oscars’ early timing, and Netflix’s price hikes, while also making self-deprecating jokes.
The 2025 Oscars began with a spectacular musical tribute, featuring Wicked star Ariana Grande singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” followed by Cynthia Erivo’s performance of “Home” from The Wiz. The two stars then teamed up for a duet of “Defying Gravity.”
For the voting process, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences uses a simple majority vote for most categories, but Best Picture is decided by ranked choice voting. If no film gets 50% of the votes initially, the one with the fewest votes is eliminated, and its voters’ preferences are redistributed until a winner emerges.
During the red carpet, Demi Moore took a moment to greet her Ghost co-star, Whoopi Goldberg, while actor Guy Pearce wore a “FREE PALESTINE” pin in support of the Palestinian cause, expressing his ongoing activism.
The documentary No Other Land, which portrays the destruction of Palestinian homes in the West Bank, has largely been ignored in Israeli media due to the ongoing trauma from the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and the war that followed. Experts suggest that the film may gain more recognition in the future, once the country processes its mourning and political shifts. Despite critical acclaim, No Other Land has also faced struggles in finding a distributor in the U.S.
Brandi Carlile, a first-time Oscar nominee, collaborated with Elton John to write the song “Never Too Late” for his life documentary. She explained how she wanted the song to help Elton reflect on his life in a way the film did.
Cynthia Erivo, a potential EGOT contender, is nominated for Best Actress for Wicked and could join the exclusive club if she wins.
Several stars made political fashion statements on the red carpet, including Kayo Shekoni, who wore shoes with “free Congo” written on them, and Peter Straughan, who sported a Ukrainian flag pin.
Jeff Goldblum added a floral touch to his tuxedo, while June Squibb arrived on the red carpet in a wheelchair, making a bold entrance.
In Mexico, Camila D. Aurora’s short Johanne Sacreblu, a parody in response to the controversial Emilia Pérez, has gone viral, collecting millions of views and becoming a symbol of protest.
The Oscars this year are unpredictable, with wide-open races in Best Actor, Actress, and Picture, though Kieran Culkin is a sure bet for Best Supporting Actor.
In Brazil, Fernanda Torres, nominated for I’m Still Here, is the focus during Carnival, as excitement for the Oscars coincides with the country's biggest celebration.
Conan O'Brien hosts the Oscars for the first time, bringing his comedic edge to the ceremony while balancing the celebration with a recognition of the current political climate.
Source: AP
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
