A night for the books

The 97th Academy Awards have come and gone, and Hollywood’s biggest night did not disappoint. Audiences both present at the Dolby Theatre and tuning in from home were abuzz with excitement and armed with expectations. While some pictures made history, others continued to reign over specific categories.

BEST PICTURE: One of the biggest stories of the night was the one we all least expected — Anora swept the categories, walking away with five Oscars. Sean Baker’s dramedy about an enterprising adult trade worker who impulsively marries the spoiled son of a Russian oligarch had Hollywood’s attention from the get-go. It took home the night’s biggest prize, as well as others including Best Film Editing, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.

BEST ACTRESS: Mikey Madison’s performance in Anora was nothing short of mesmerizing, and the Academy agreed. Her portrayal of a woman navigating love, power and survival in the most unexpected circumstances earned her coveted statuette. She managed to snag the awards from other nominees stacked with talent, among whom were Cynthia Erivo for Wicked and Demi Moore for The Substance.

BEST ACTOR: Adrien Brody took home the statuette for his work in The Brutalist, which earned its own time in the spotlight of controversy in its use of AI to enhance Brody’s Hungarian accent. The film also clinched Best Original Score and Best Cinematography.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Now this was one for the history books, Zoe Saldaña took home the award for her role in Emilia Pérez, making her the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar. A long overdue recognition for an actress who has consistently been the unsung queen of franchise blockbusters — Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Star Trek. In the Netflix drama, she plays Rita Mora Castro, a lawyer helping a cartel boss through the emotional journey of starting a new life as a woman.

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS AND SOUND: The Dune: Part Two team can add even more trophies to their already crowded mantle. The film’s jaw dropping visuals and immersive sound design ensured it swept both Best Visual Effects and Best Sound.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: In a category packed with literary heavyweights, Conclave emerged victorious. Adapted from Robert Harris’ 2016 novel, the film is less of a ‘whodunit’ and more of a who's next, taking on the political maneuvering behind the selection of a new pope. The timing couldn’t be more bittersweet, with talks of replacing Pope Francis are in motion.

BEST COSTUME AND PRODUCTION DESIGN: Fantasy lovers rejoice, Wicked didn't go home empty handed, snagging Oscars for both Costume Design and Production Design — where the beloved musical’s transition to the big screen paid off in terms of visual splendor.

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM: In one of the night’s most powerful moments, NoOther Land took home the Oscar. This wasn't just one of the most powerful documentaries of the year, it was also one of the most captivating real life narratives both on and off screen. What made the victory so powerful was the viewers’ immersion in the struggle and suffering of Masafer Yatta, a Palestinian community in the occupied West Bank, facing destruction as the military moves in to turn it into training grounds. Given the geopolitical landscape, this victory resonated beyond the Academy stage — it was a statement and a conversation starter, especially when there were no distributors who would pick up the film to showcase online and in theatres, participating in a broader systemic trend of avoiding hot topic documentaries.