The 97th Academy Awards held on March 2, 2025, witnessed extraordinary interest from Russia, particularly due to the nomination of actor Yura Borisov for his role in the film 'Anora.' This marked the first time a Russian actor has been nominated for the prestigious Oscar, sparking significant enthusiasm among Russian film enthusiasts.
According to analysts from MegaFon and Rutube, online broadcasts of the Oscars attracted double the viewership compared to the previous year. This surge was reflective of Borisov's nomination, as many viewers tuned in to support the 32-year-old actor during the live ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Online broadcasting platforms, including the official Oscar website and American Broadcasting Company (ABC), saw impressive traffic increases. Data showed mobile traffic to Russian platforms increased significantly, with Rutube experiencing a stunning 2.2-fold rise in unique viewership. Traffic to the American Cinematic Academy website increased by 13%, with ABC witnessing a 30% growth compared to prior years.
Most viewers were aged 25 to 35, and interestingly, many opted to take breaks during the ceremony, tuning back closer to the end when substantial awards were announced. The peak viewership time was recorded between 3:00 and 3:30 AM Moscow time, followed by another spike just before the major awards were revealed at 6:40 AM.
The enthusiasm for the ceremony was particularly pronounced among residents of major Russian cities, with 19.17% of total viewers coming from Moscow, 7% from St. Petersburg, and 2.35% from the Novosibirsk region. Others from Krasnodar and Khabarovsk Krai made up significant portions of the remaining audience connections.
Despite his nomination, Yura Borisov did not take home the Oscar statuette; this honor went to Kieran Culkin for his role. Yet, the recognition of Borisov's talent did not go unnoticed. Alongside the prestige of his nomination, he was awarded lavish gifts, appraised at 19 million rubles (approximately $250,000). This bounty included several exciting experiences such as free contour plastic surgery, passes to exclusive shows, and holiday trips to either the Maldives or Sri Lanka.
The ceremony concluded with a lavish dinner where unusual Oscar statues—crafted from smoked sturgeon adorned with black beluga caviar—were served to attendees, costing about 53 million rubles (around $700,000) for the event. Such extravagance marks another chapter in the Oscars' history.
Despite the financial splendor, the emotional response to Borisov's nomination dominated discussions on social media. Many described the moment as historic for Russian cinema, fostering hope for future international recognition. "Congratulations to Yura and the entire team behind 'Anora!'" cheered one user, highlighting the collective pride felt by spectators across the country. "What happiness! Our actors are finally being recognized. I didn’t believe I would live to see this day," expressed another, capturing the excitement and optimism generated by the ceremony.
Yura Borisov is now enshrined not just as the first Russian actor nominated for this prestigious award but also as a pioneer who may help pave the way for future generations of Russian talent entering the global film scene. Prior to his achievement, only Russian films had garnered Oscars. Multiple accolades have been awarded to films like 'War and Peace' by Sergei Bondarchuk (1968), 'Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears' by Vladimir Menshov (1980), and more recently, the animated short 'The Old Man and the Sea' by Alexander Petrov (2000), which won the coveted statue at the American Film Academy level.
With increased interest and recognition stemming from Borisov's nomination, the 2025 Oscars have not only marked history, but they also signal potential new beginnings for Russian actors seeking recognition abroad. The palpable excitement and engagement among the Russian audience stand as evidence of their fervent celebration of culture and film, one they eagerly hope continues to evolve and thrive.