Understanding this year’s Oscars is as straightforward as learning your ABCs. Here’s an alphabetical overview of this year’s Academy Awards.
A is for Anora
Anora, a witty and clever film, has been likened to a modern-day Pretty Woman and has generated significant buzz since winning the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival last year. The story revolves around a young sex worker who falls in love with a wealthy man, this time the son of a Russian oligarch. It is among this year’s 10 best picture nominees, with 25-year-old Mikey Madison nominated for best actress.
B is for The Brutalist
Set in America after World War II, The Brutalist has been hailed as a cinematic masterpiece by some critics, despite its lengthy three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Adrien Brody has received acclaim (including a BAFTA and a Golden Globe) for his role as Hungarian architect Lazlo Toth and is nominated for best actor. The film is also competing for best picture; although it missed out at the BAFTAs, director Brady Corbet won best director, and they hope to replicate that success.
C is for Conclave
This film is a strong contender for best picture after winning best film at this year’s BAFTAs. Based on Robert Harris’s 2016 novel, it focuses on the election of a new pope. Ralph Fiennes, who portrays Cardinal Lawrence, the Vatican’s most powerful figure after the pope, has received his third Oscar nomination. His previous nominations were for Schindler’s List in 1993 and The English Patient in 1996. However, facing off against Brody in The Brutalist may hinder his chances this year.
D is for Dune: Part 2
Timothée Chalamet stars in two of this year’s best picture nominees. In this film, he plays Paul Atreides in the second installment of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s acclaimed 1965 novel. Paul seeks revenge against those who destroyed his family, navigating politics, religion, and the quest for valuable resources, all while contending with giant sandworms. It is grand in scope, but not the Chalamet film that has everyone talking this year.
E is for Emilia Perez
Set in Mexico, Emilia Perez features Karla Sofía Gascón as the titular character and Zoe Saldaña as Rita Moro Castro.
