Emilia Pérez Dominates Oscar Nominations

The 97th Academy Awards nominations have been announced, and Jacques Audiard's Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez has created history. With a staggering 13 nominations, it surpasses the previous record held by Oppenheimer (2024) and becomes the most-nominated non-English language film in Oscar history, exceeding the 10 nominations previously held by both Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) and Roma (2018). This monumental achievement underscores the growing recognition of international cinema on the global stage.

A Transgender Milestone and Record-Breaking Achievement

The film's success extends beyond its sheer number of nominations. The recognition of Karla Sofía Gascón, who stars as a Mexican drug lord transitioning into a woman, marks a significant milestone. This is the first time an out trans person has received an acting nomination at the Oscars. The nomination showcases a notable step towards greater inclusivity and representation within the film industry. Gascón's performance, capturing the emotional complexity of her character's journey, has garnered significant praise from critics and audiences alike. Audiard’s Emilia Pérez is also nominated for supporting actress (for Zoe Saldaña), director, picture, adapted screenplay, international feature, editing, cinematography, makeup and hairstyling, original score, best sound, and twice for original song. This impressive sweep of nominations across various categories showcases the film's broad artistic excellence.

The Impact of Emilia Pérez

The impact of Emilia Pérez extends beyond individual awards. It represents a broadening of the narrative scope within the Oscars. The success of non-English language films is a significant indicator of the global reach and appeal of cinema, moving beyond Hollywood's traditional dominance. The film's focus on a transgender character further challenges preconceived notions of representation, promoting greater diversity in storytelling.

The Brutalist and Wicked: Strong Contenders

While Emilia Pérez leads the pack, Brady Corbet's The Brutalist and Jon M Chu's Wicked are strong contenders, each receiving 10 nominations. The Brutalist, a three-and-a-half-hour epic focusing on a Hungarian architect (Adrien Brody) who relocates to the US after World War II, has received accolades for its cinematography and acting. The film's use of AI for voice-cloning to enhance the Hungarian accents of its stars, Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, has sparked some debate, but director Brady Corbet defended his use of the technology, stating that “Adrien and Felicity’s performances are completely their own.” Wicked, a highly anticipated adaptation of the popular Broadway musical, has successfully translated its stage success to the big screen, earning widespread appreciation for its visual effects and musical score. The film also features Ariana Grande who garnered a Best Supporting Actress nomination.

Other Notable Nominees

Other notable contenders include James Mangold's A Complete Unknown, a Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothée Chalamet, and Edward Berger's Conclave, a papal thriller featuring Ralph Fiennes. Both films secured eight nominations each, demonstrating their critical and commercial success. Sean Baker's Anora, with its focus on sex workers, also secured six nominations, while Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two and Coralie Fargeat's The Substance received five nominations each.

The Unexpected Snubs and Surprises

Several unexpected snubs and surprises emerged within the nominations. The exclusion of Edward Berger's Conclave from the directing category is a significant miss, despite securing many acting nominations. Similarly, the absence of Daniel Craig in the Best Actor category for his performance in Queer is another notable omission. Conversely, Fernanda Torres’ nomination for best actress for her role in I’m Still Here comes as a welcome surprise. The film, which details a true story of a Brazilian abduction, demonstrated unexpected strength with international voters.

The Best Actress Category: A Remarkable Year

The Best Actress category is particularly noteworthy. Karla Sofía Gascón's nomination marks a historic moment for transgender representation, while Cynthia Erivo’s nomination is momentous for Black British women in film. Demi Moore’s performance in The Substance is also a notable comeback for this veteran actress. Notably, all five Best Actress nominees appear in Best Picture-nominated films. These diverse and talented women have created some of the most celebrated performances of the year.

A Resilient Spirit Amidst Adversity

This year’s nominations were delayed twice following the devastating LA wildfires. The Academy has emphasized its commitment to supporting its community and acknowledged the challenges faced by many Los Angeles residents, demonstrating resilience and unity amidst adversity. The show itself will also “move away” from live performances during the broadcast in favour of honouring the songwriters.

The Road to the Oscars: A Celebration of Global Cinema

The 97th Academy Awards will take place on March 2nd at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, and Conan O’Brien will host for the first time. The nominations highlight a diverse and exciting range of films, showcasing talent from around the globe and pushing the boundaries of storytelling. The ceremony promises to be a celebration not only of exceptional filmmaking but also of resilience and inclusivity. The various nominees deserve to be celebrated for their art and the messages of global representation and diversity that their work conveys.

The winners will be announced on March 2nd. It is certain that many eyes will be on the Dolby Theatre to see if Emilia Pérez can maintain its leading position and take home some of the top awards. Regardless of the final outcome, this year's Oscar nominations showcase a vibrant and evolving landscape of cinema that reflects the global nature of our shared art form. The event itself will certainly be one to look forward to.