- Independent film “Anora” swept the 97th Academy Awards, winning five Oscars, including best picture and best director for Sean Baker. The film’s modest $6 million budget makes it one of history’s lowest-grossing Best Picture winners.
- Adrien Brody won best actor for “The Brutalist.” At the same time, Zoe Saldaña made history as the first American of Dominican origin to win an Oscar for her supporting role in “Emilia Pérez.”
- The ceremony highlighted the shift toward risk-taking storytelling, with independent films dominating major categories and sparking conversations about the future of Hollywood.
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The 97th Academy Awards saw independent films take center stage, with “Anora” winning five Oscars, including best picture. The film, directed by Sean Baker, followed the story of a strip club dancer who eloped with the son of a Russian oligarch.
Baker won best director, and Mikey Madison earned best actress for her lead role.
Adrien Brody won best actor for “The Brutalist,” in which he portrayed a Holocaust survivor seeking the American dream.
Kieran Culkin won best supporting actor for “A Real Pain,” and Zoe Saldaña took home best supporting actress for her role in “Emilia Pérez.” Saldaña made history as the first American of Dominican origin to win an Oscar.
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What were the key moments of the night?
Baker used his acceptance speech to champion independent cinema, emphasizing the importance of keeping films on the big screen. “Anora,” which had a modest budget of $6 million, ranks among the lowest-grossing best picture winners in history, bringing in $15.7 million domestically.
Brody, accepting his second Oscar, spoke about the lingering trauma of war, antisemitism and oppression.
“If the past can teach us anything, it’s a reminder to not let hate go unchecked,” he said.
Saldaña reflected on her immigrant roots, calling her win a moment of pride for the Dominican-American community.
Kieran Culkin, accepting his first Oscar, humorously referenced a promise from his wife that if he won, they would have four children. The lighthearted moment was a standout in an otherwise politically charged ceremony.
How did other films perform?
Several other films won multiple awards. “The Brutalist” took home three Oscars, including best cinematography and best original score.
“Wicked” won Oscars for costume design and production design, while “Dune: Part Two” secured awards for sound and visual effects.
“Emilia Pérez” won best original song for “El Mal” and best supporting actress for Saldaña.
In the animated categories, “Flow,” an independent Latvian film about a cat’s journey, won best animated feature, beating “Inside Out 2” and “The Wild Robot.”
What controversies emerged?
The ceremony largely avoided political controversy, but the best documentary winner, “No Other Land,” about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, brought the topic to the forefront. Director Basel Andra called for global action against what he described as the “ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people,” drawing a mixed reaction from the audience.
Hulu, which streamed the Oscars for the first time, faced widespread technical difficulties, frustrating viewers.
Meanwhile, “Emilia Pérez,” which led with 13 nominations, underperformed amid controversy surrounding past comments from its lead actress, Karla Sofía Gascón.
What’s next for Hollywood?
Despite a strong showing for independent films, declining box office revenues for award-winning movies remain a concern. Baker’s speech underscored fears that theaters continue to struggle, urging filmmakers and audiences to support the theatrical experience.
With “Anora” and “The Brutalist” proving that lower-budget, unconventional films can still dominate the Oscars, the future of Hollywood may shift toward risk-taking storytelling rather than big-budget blockbusters.
