Arielle Busetto 
"Anora" director Sean Baker accepts the prize for Best Director at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 2. (©Kyodo)
On March 2, the 97th Academy Awards took place in Los Angeles, and "Anora," directed by Sean Baker, dominated the ceremony. The film, which follows a sex worker who marries a Russian oligarch, took home Best Picture, along with four other major awards.
It won five out of the six nominations, including Best Picture, Director, Actress, Editing, and Original Screenplay.
Other films also made their mark at the ceremony. "The Brutalist" secured three awards. "Wicked, and "Dune: Part Two" both got two.
The evening brought emotional moments to spectators. Zoe Saldaña, upon winning best supporting actress, warmly thanked her family, saying, "Mom and dad and sisters – everything brave, outrageous and good that I’ve ever done in my life is because of you."
Another moving moment was when Adrien Brody won best actor for his role in the "The Brutalist." Many recall Brody's historic 2002 Oscar win for "The Pianist," when he became the youngest-ever best actor recipient at just 29.
International Entries
Among international films, several winners captivated the audience.
In the documentary feature category, "No Other Land" took home the prize. The documentary, directed by a Palestinian-Israeli team, depicts the destruction of a besieged village in the occupied West Bank. Palestinian co-director Basel Adra received the award, saying, "About two months ago, I became a father, and my hope to my daughter is she will not have to live the same life I am living now."
The Iranian wordless animated short "In the Shadows of the Cypress" won in its category. Directors Shrin Shohani and Hossein Molayemi accepted the Oscar after securing last-minute visa approval to enter the United States just hours before the ceremony. The film examines the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on an Iranian war veteran and his daughter.
Japanese Films Miss Out on Oscars Despite Nominations
Despite receiving three nominations, Japanese films failed to win in any of their respective categories.
"Black Box Diaries" joined the nominees in the documentary feature category. In the film, director Shiori Ito leads an investigation in her own sexual assault case.
Among the short documentaries was the New York Times Op-Doc "Instruments of a Beating Heart." The short film is by Ema Ryan Yamazaki, a British-Japanese filmmaker. It portrays an elementary school in Japan. In that category, "The Only Girl in the Orchestra" ultimately received the award.
Under the title of "Magic Candies," the animated short film is directed by industry veteran Daisuke Nishio. The CGI-animated film stars a lonely boy who eats a mysterious candy and gains the magical ability to hear the inner voices of people and objects around him.
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Author: Arielle Busetto
