'Anora', Oscar Winner... 5 Awards Including Best Picture, Director, and Screenplay

‘Anora’, Oscar Winner… 5 Awards Including Best Picture, Director, and Screenplay

2025-03-03

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The star of this year's Oscars was the film "Anora" (directed by Sean Baker), which took home five trophies, including the top honor of Best Picture. Adrian Brody and Mikey Madison lifted the Best Actor and Best Actress awards.

The 97th Academy Awards were held on the morning of the 3rd at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, USA. The renowned comedian Conan O'Brien took on the role of host for the first time.

This year's Oscars spotlight was on "Anora." It won the Best Picture award, surpassing strong competitors such as "The Brutalist," "Emilia Perez," and "Conclave."

Director Sean Baker expressed his gratitude to the Academy, saying, "Thank you for recognizing true independent films. This film was made with the blood, sweat, and tears of indie artists. Independent films will survive for a long time."

"Anora" also clinched awards for Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Actress. Director Baker added, "I am grateful to the sex worker community who shared their life experiences with me over the years."

"Anora" is a black comedy depicting the story of a New York stripper married to a Russian tycoon, addressing the struggles of sex workers and class conflicts. It won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival last year.

The Best Actress win was unexpected. Initially, Demi Moore was considered a strong contender for her role in "Substance." However, Mikey Madison, 25, took the award with her role in "Anora."

It was the first time in 12 years that an actress in her 20s won the Oscar for Best Actress, with Jennifer Lawrence holding the previous record in 2013 for "Silver Linings Playbook" (directed by David O. Russell).

Mikey Madison expressed her surprise, saying, "Having grown up in LA, Hollywood always felt distant. I am amazed to stand here," and thanked the sex worker community.

Adrian Brody earned the Best Actor award for "The Brutalist," surpassing competitors such as Timothée Chalamet ("Complete Unknown"), Sebastian Stan ("Apprentice"), Ralph Fiennes ("Conclave"), and Colman Domingo ("Sing Sing").

This marks Brody's second Oscar win for Best Actor. He previously became the youngest to win the award in 2003 for "The Pianist" (directed by Roman Polanski), receiving the trophy again after 22 years.

Brody stated, "If there's something to learn from the past, it's the lesson to 'not tolerate hate.' I will pray for a healthier and happier world, free from the aftermath of war, anti-Semitism, and racism."

Zoe Saldana ("Emilia Perez") and Kieran Culkin ("Real Pain") won the Best Supporting Actress and Actor awards, respectively, each taking home their first Oscar trophy. Zoe Saldana had previously won the Best Actress award at Cannes and the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for this work.

Saldana shed tears of joy, saying, "I am the child of immigrant parents and the first Dominican American to win an Academy Award with dreams, dignity, and hard work. I hope I won't be the last."

The Japanese animation "Magic Candies," based on writer Baek Heena's picture books "Magic Candy" and "I Am a Dog," was nominated for Best Short Animation but did not win.

"Blackpink" member Lisa's performance also held significance. She became the first K-pop artist to perform at the Oscars, presenting a tribute stage for the "007" series.

Lisa sang "Live and Let Die," the theme song for "007: Live and Let Die" (directed by Guy Hamilton, 1973). She portrayed a performance reminiscent of an action movie scene.

The Academy Awards ceremony was conducted with a meaningful intent to console victims of the large wildfire in LA. It provided information on ways to donate to the victims. LA firefighters took to the stage and received applause.