The 97th annual Academy Awards took place on March 2 and was truly memorable. The event highlighted the impact of cinema, featuring many first-time winners, inspiring speeches and comical moments. It was a night to remember in Hollywood history.
Conan O’Brien hosted the event, leaving audiences entertained. The comedian’s opening monologue poked fun at various nominees including Timothée Chalamet from “A Complete Unknown,” joking about his young age. He also took a jab at Karla Sofía Gascón, an actress from “Emilia Pérez,” referencing her recent social media scandal. Additionally, he had a conversation with Adam Sandler, who made a surprise cameo appearance.
The nearly 19-minute monologue was a great way to start the evening.
The Winners of the Evening
The first award of the night, Best Supporting Actor, went home with Kieran Culkin for his work in “A Real Pain.” This was the star’s first Academy Award nomination and win. In typical Culkin fashion, his acceptance speech was comedic. The star shared the story of how his wife promised him a fourth child when he wins an Oscar.
“Let’s get cracking on those kids, what do you say? I love you,” Culkin said to his wife in the audience.
Best Supporting Actress went home with Zoe Saldaña for her role as Rita Mora Castro in “Emilia Pérez.” The actress has had a remarkable awards season, taking home Best Supporting Actress at nearly every awards show. This was Saldaña’s first Oscar nomination and win. She made history as the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award.
From “The Brutalist,” Adrien Brody took home Best Actor in a Leading Role. The star made history as the youngest Best Actor winner for his work in “The Pianist” in 2003, making this his second Oscar win.
Brody also broke the record for the longest acceptance speech in Oscar history, lasting five minutes and 36 seconds. The speeches are supposed to be kept at 45 seconds or less.
Other award winners from the evening include “The Substance” for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, “Wicked” for Best Production Design, “Conclave” for Best Adapted Screenplay, “Dune: Part Two” for Best Visual Effects, Best Original Score for “The Brutalist,” and more.
‘Anora’ Takes Home Best Picture and More
No film had a better evening than “Anora,” taking home five major awards. The film, which shines a light on the sex work community, won Best Picture, Best Directing, Best Film Editing, Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress in a Leading Role for star Mikey Madison.
Director Sean Baker set a record for the most Oscar wins in one night for a single film. Baker, known for his work in “The Florida Project” and “Red Rocket,” is consistently breaking the stigma surrounding sex work through his work.
“I want to thank the sex worker community. They have shared their stories. They have shared their life experience with me over the years. My deepest respect. Thank you — I share this with you,” Baker said in his acceptance speech for Best Original Screenplay.
Baker was not the only one from the film to express gratitude to the community. Madison, who is now one of the 10 youngest Oscar winners for Best Actress in a Leading Role, also thanked them in her touching speech.
“I also just want to again recognize and honor the sex worker community. I will continue to support and be an ally. All of the incredible people, the women that I’ve had the privilege of meeting from that community has been one of the highlights of of this entire incredible experience,” Madison said.
Baker, Madison and the rest of the Anora crew had an unforgettable night that honored their inspiring independent film.
In Baker’s words, “Long live independent film!”
