Anora’ Wins Five Awards, Including Best Picture

The genre-blending film “Anora,” which presents a laid-back perspective on sex work and is characterized by its use of explicit language, garnered the award for Best Picture along with four additional Oscars at the 97th Academy Awards. This unconventional selection signifies an evolving Academy, one that is increasingly youthful, bold, and less focused on box office performance.

Sean Baker, the creative mind behind “Anora,” which had a production budget of $6 million, received Oscars for both directing and his original screenplay, as well as for editing. Mikey Madison, at the age of 25, was awarded Best Actress for her portrayal of the film’s titular character, a win that surprised many industry analysts who had anticipated Demi Moore to take the award for her transformative role in “The Substance.”

In his acceptance speech for the screenwriting award, Baker expressed gratitude to the sex worker community, stating, “My deepest respect. I share this with you.” He later dedicated his directing Oscar to his mother.

Another independent film, “The Brutalist,” which had a budget of $10 million and grossed $15.8 million, secured three Oscars. Adrien Brody received the Best Actor award for his role as a Holocaust survivor, and the film was also recognized for its cinematography and musical score. This marked Brody’s second Oscar win, having previously won in 2003 for his performance in “The Pianist.”

In his acceptance speech, Brody remarked, “I pray for a happier and healthier and more inclusive world,” as he navigated an attempt by the orchestra to signal the end of his speech. He added, “If the past can teach us anything, it’s a reminder to not let hate go unchecked.” The notable achievements of “Anora” and “The Brutalist” highlight the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ ongoing efforts over the past decade to enhance diversity within its voting body, particularly through a significant increase in international membership.
At least nine of the artists who were awarded Oscars on Sunday hailed from nations outside the United States.

The musical “Wicked” secured two Oscars for production design and costume design, while the Netflix film “Emilia Pérez” also garnered two awards for song and supporting actress. Additionally, “Dune: Part Two” achieved recognition in two categories, winning for sound and visual effects.

The Oscar for adapted screenplay was awarded to “Conclave.” Kieran Culkin received the best supporting actor award for his role in “A Real Pain,” which tells the story of mismatched cousins on a journey to Poland. The independent Latvian film “Flow,” featuring a brave cat, triumphed over “The Wild Robot” and “Inside Out 2” to claim the Oscar for best animated feature.