LOS ANGELES (AP) — The 97th Academy Awards held on March 3, 2025, earmarked a significant shift within the cinematic world as the triumph of the indie film "Anora" signaled both innovation and tradition at Hollywood’s most prestigious event. The film, which tells the story of an erotic dancer who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, garnered five Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director for Sean Baker, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. Not only did it adjust the status quo, but it also showcased how independent films are carving out their space among traditionally powerful studio productions.
The awards night held nothing short of spectacular moments. Hosted by Conan O'Brien, the ceremony incorporated dynamic performances with the opening sequence featuring "Wicked" stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, each honoring the resilience of Los Angeles following devastating fires. The ceremony encapsulated the mood of this unique night, fusing humor with timely references to scandals surrounding various films. "Anora" opened with 13 nominations, but the grand awards reminded audiences how the night can redefine narratives, particularly for the indie film sector.
The standout of the evening, "Anora," surprised many by securing five trophies, which included its historic win for Best Picture—the first such feat since 1952 when "The Bad and the Beautiful" achieved similar acclaim from minimal nominations. Sean Baker, the director, also took home four Oscars himself, aligning him with the legendary Walt Disney, who was the last to accomplish this milestone back in 1954.
Critically acclaimed for its unique take on modern-day issues, "Anora" emerged as both audacious and controversial. Baker’s direction drew attention not only because of the film's budget — $6 million — but also its box office performance with $16 million reportedly raised domestically. It was precisely this accessibility and risk-taking spirit woven through the film's narrative about sexuality and independence from mainstream trends, particularly enhanced by the film's candidness.
Adding to the night’s accolades, Adrien Brody won his second Oscar for his role as a Holocaust survivor in "The Brutalist," showcasing the spectrum of themes noticed during the awards. Meanwhile, "Emilia Pérez," which entered the night with 13 nominations, only became the worst performer, making history by tying as the losingest film after walking away with just two awards.
Among these, Zoë Saldaña of "Emilia Pérez" achieved recognition as the Best Supporting Actress, expressing her pride as the first American of Dominican origin to win this honor and inspiring many within the industry. The evening's surprise winners included Flow, which claimed the best animated feature award even after competing against high-budget films like "The Wild Robot." Flow was created using open-source software for approximately $4 million, illustrating the evolution of film production creativity.
The night did not shy away from addressing various aspects beyond simple entertainment. Brody, during his acceptance speech, touched upon sensitive topics surrounding racism and antisemitism. “If our past can teach us anything, it's to not let hate go unchecked,” he stated emphatically. Meanwhile, No Other Land, which won the Best Documentary Feature award, highlighted urgent political dialogues surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with its co-director Yuval Abraham openly criticizing U.S. foreign policy.
The awards event struck chords not only with its winners but also echoed sentiments within the industry, as Baker urged filmmakers to continue creating for the big screen, aiming to resurrect traditional moviegoer experiences amid the rise of streaming platforms. "Filmmakers, keep making films for the big screen. I know I will," Baker proclaimed from the stage, emphasizing the urgency to maintain the significance of theaters.
Despite the emphasis on the independent movement, major accolades for productions struggling with the transitional waves of entertainment were evident. Both The Brutalist and Wicked came away with wins largely through technical categories rather than narrative strengths, signifying how deeply intertwined their productions have become with the independent stressors.
Interestingly, as the evening folded, audience members noted minimal overt political statements compared to prior years, reflecting perhaps on how current cinematic narratives are shifting yet choosing to remain subtly impactful.
Aside from intense moments, the ceremony's lighter tones appeared when O'Brien cracked jokes surrounding the nominations and winners, alluding to the whimsical chaos behind the scenes as the years of scrutiny over the industry continue. He jested about how Anora had used the F-word 479 times on screen, providing levity amid serious tones heard later.
What lay clear was the cultural policy shift among Academy voters, with many celebrating films like "Anora" and "Flow" signifying how international perspectives now inform parts of what becomes triumphant. Of note was how the Academy's significant increase of foreign members potentially influences voting dynamics, impacting future selections.
The 97th Academy Awards aptly highlighted the question: as cinematic forms evolve and diversify, can filmmakers maintain the old traditions? And how much room is left for the independent stories, which continue to make brave stands, seek audiences, and reshape the norms of traditional narratives? Only time will unravel this curious thread as we move forward.
With this latest set of winners commanding attention, audiences can look forward to the aftershocks of "Anora" resounding long beyond the headlines, reminiscent of the 3.9 magnitude tremor felt shortly after the awards concluded, probing another layer of change to come.