By Sabine Pierce Jones, Y12
The Academy Awards, or more commonly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in the film industry. These international renowned and prestigious awards are seen as the height of cinematic achievements. Each aspect of the entertainment industry is assessed by the Academy’s voting members. In which the winners receive a golden knight trophy called the “Academy War of Merit”.
Who are these voting members?
There are 17 different branches: actors, directors, producers, costume designers and so on. All of which must have achieved some sort of distinction in the entertainment industry. Applicants for this title must be sponsored by two Academy members (within their branch). Although Oscar winners and nominees do not need sponsors, they are automatically given membership. Every year the applicants are reviewed by the Academy’s Board of Governors.
Where did the Oscars originate?
During a dinner at his home, M-G-M studio chief Louis B. Mayer and his guests talked about creating an organized group to benefit the film industry. A week later, 36 invitees from all the creative branches of the film industry dined at Los Angeles’s Ambassador Hotel to hear a proposal to found the International Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Articles of incorporation were soon presented and officers were elected with Douglas Fairbanks as president.
How to watch: https://www.oscars.org/how-to-watch/international.html
This year’s 93rd Academy Awards ceremony was originally to be held on February 28th, 2021. However, it was postponed to April 25th, 2021 due to the impact of Covid-19 on the entertainment industry. Marking the third ceremony without a host, although there was a full slate of celebrity presenters. These included: Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Bong Joon Ho, Don Cheadle, Bryan Cranston, Laura Dern, Harrison Ford, Regina King, Marlee Matlin, Rita Moreno, Joaquin Phoenix, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Renée Zellweger and Zendaya.
Highlights:
The award for best picture was given to “Nomadland”. “Nomadland,” based on a 2017 book, follows a woman named Fern (Frances McDormand), who leaves her home after her husband dies to live out of her van, traveling the U.S. and taking on odd jobs. The movie features real-life nomads in the supporting cast. The film’s star, Frances McDormand, won the award
for best actress. Not only was the film awarded two withstanding achievement, the film’s director, Chloé Zhao, also made history when she won for best director. Making her the first Asian women, woman of colour, and the second woman to win the award.
Many believed that Chadwick Boseman was going to win the best actor award for his performance in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” seeing his track record of winning multiple awards prior to the Oscars. Taking his place, and possibly the most surprising part of the night, Anthony Hopkins won the best actos for his performance in Florian Zeller’s “The Father”. Hopkins’ victory was an upset over Chadwick Boseman, who died in August after a private four-year battle with colon cancer. Boseman was nominated for best actor for his role in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”
The award for best supporting actor was received by Daniel Kaluuya for “Judas and the Black Messiah”. Another Oscar barrier was broken for Asian women this year — Yuh-Jung Youn, who won best supporting actress for her role in “Minari,” is the first actress of Korean descent to win the award.
Another highlight of the night was the “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” makeup and hair team making Oscars history. Hair department head Mia Neal and celebrity hairstylist Jamika Wilson became the first Black women to be nominated and win for best makeup and hairstyling.
“As Jamika and I break this glass ceiling,” she said, she was filled with “so much excitement for the future.”
“I can picture Black trans women standing up here, and Asian sisters. And our Latina sisters, and indigenous women. And I know that one day it won’t be unusual or groundbreaking — it will just be normal,” she said.
The Academy’s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award was presented Sunday to Tyler Perry in recognition of his charity efforts. Perry said he dedicates his award “to anyone who wants to stand in the middle no matter what’s around the walls” because “that’s where healing happens” and where “change happens.” “So anyone who wants to meet me in the middle to refuse hate… to help lift someone’s feet off the ground, this one is for you, too,” he said.
Best dressed:
- Zendaya:
What was she wearing?
A Custom lemon-yellow Valentino Haute Couture featuring a strapless silhouette and cutout detail, while simultaneously debuting a coordinating diamond necklace worth $6 million by Bulgari. She looks like a million, or millions, of bucks!
- Andra Day:
What was she wearing?
An asymmetrical custom liquid-gold metal-mesh gown (created with the help of metal welders) from Vera Wang’s new Haute label. She paired her disco-chic standout dress with more than $2 million worth of Tiffany & Co. diamonds.
- Vanessa Kurby:
What was she wearing?
A custom pale-rose silk gazar column gown with a box pleat train by Alessandro Michele for Gucci. The ultra-feminine hue was offset by a deep-red lip, dark nails, and a subtle cutout detail at the waist. Cartier jewels finished the sleek, ’90s-inspired moment.
- Amanda Seyfried:
What was she wearing?
An haute couture scarlet strapless ball gown spun out of plissé tulle, featuring a deep-V neckline with ruffle accents and a sweeping, dramatic full skirt. Her pretty updo, diamond earrings, and red pout polished off the look.
- Viola Davis
What was she wearing?
A white thistle appliqué gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. She finished the look with a Jimmy Choo Venus clutch.
Overall Winners:
Original Screenplay
- “Judas and the Black Messiah”
- “Minari”
- “Promising Young Woman” – WINNER
- “Sound of Metal”
- “The Trial of the Chicago 7”
Adapted Screenplay
- “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”
- “The Father” – WINNER
- “Nomadland”
- “One Night in Miami”
- “The White Tiger”
International Feature Film
- “Another Round” (Denmark) – WINNER
- “Better Days” (Hong Kong)
- “Collective” (Romania)
- “The Man Who Sold His Skin” (Tunisia)
- “Quo Vadis, Aida?” (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Actor in a Supporting Role
- Sacha Baron Cohen, “The Trial of the Chicago 7”
- Daniel Kaluuya, “Judas and the Black Messiah” – WINNER
- Leslie Odom Jr., “One Night in Miami”
- Paul Raci, “Sound of Metal”
- Lakeith Stanfield, “Judas and the Black Messiah”
Daniel Kaluuya wins Best Supporting Actor for their performance in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ at the Oscars.
Makeup and Hairstyling
- “Emma”
- “Hillbilly Elegy”
- “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” – WINNER
- “Mank”
- “Pinocchio”
Costume Design
- “Emma”
- “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” – WINNER
- “Mank”
- “Mulan”
- “Pinocchio”
Directing
- Thomas Vinterberg, “Another Round”
- David Fincher, “Mank”
- Lee Isaac Chung, “Minari”
- Chloé Zhao, “Nomadland” – WINNER
- Emerald Fennell, “Promising Young Woman”
Chloé Zhao is the first woman of color to win an Oscar for Best Director.
Sound
- “Greyhound”
- “Mank”
- “News of the World”
- “Sound of Metal” – WINNER
- “Soul”
Live Action Short Film
- “Feeling Through”
- “The Letter Room”
- “The Present”
- “Two Distant Strangers” – WINNER
- “White Eye”
Animated Short Film
- “Burrow”
- “Genius Loci”
- “If Anything Happens I Love You” – WINNER
- “Opera”
- “Yes-People”
Animated Feature Film
- “Onward”
- “Over the Moon”
- “A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon”
- “Soul” – WINNER
- “Wolfwalkers”
Documentary Short
- “Colette” – WINNER
- “A Concerto Is a Conversation”
- “Do Not Split”
- “Hunger Ward”
- “A Love Song for Latasha”
Documentary Feature
- “Collective”
- “Crip Camp”
- “The Mole Agent”
- “My Octopus Teacher” – WINNER
- “Time”
Visual Effects
- “Love and Monsters”
- “The Midnight Sky”
- “Mulan”
- “The One and Only Ivan”
- “Tenet” – WINNER
Actress in a Supporting Role
- Maria Bakalova, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”
- Glenn Close, “Hillbilly Elegy”
- Olivia Colman, “The Father”
- Amanda Seyfried, “Mank”
- Yuh-Jung Yoon, “Minari” – WINNER
Yuh-jung Youn makes history as the first Korean to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
Production Design
- “The Father”
- “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
- “Mank” – WINNER
- “News of the World”
- “Tenet”
Cinematography
- “Judas and the Black Messiah”
- “Mank” – WINNER
- “News of the World”
- “Nomadland”
- “The Trial of the Chicago 7”
Film Editing
- “The Father”
- “Nomadland”
- “Promising Young Woman”
- “Sound of Metal” – WINNER
- “The Trial of the Chicago 7”
Original Song
- “Fight for You” (“Judas and the Black Messiah”) – WINNER
- “Hear My Voice” (“The Trial of the Chicago 7”)
- “Husavik” (“Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga”)
- “Io Si (Seen)” (“The Life Ahead”)
- “Speak Now” (“One Night in Miami”)
H.E.R. wins Oscar for Best Original Song “Fight For You” from Judas and the Black Messiah.
Original Score
- “Da 5 Bloods”
- “Mank”
- “Minari”
- “News of the World”
- “Soul” – WINNER
Jon Batiste wins the Oscar for Best Original Score for Disney’s ‘Soul.’
Best Picture
- “The Father”
- “Judas and the Black Messiah”
- “Mank”
- “Minari”
- “Nomadland” – WINNER
- “Promising Young Woman”
- “Sound of Metal”
- “The Trial of the Chicago 7”
‘Nomadland’ wins Best Picture at the 2021 Oscars.
Actress in a Leading Role
- Viola Davis, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
- Andra Day, “The United States vs. Billie Holiday”
- Vanessa Kirby, “Pieces of a Woman”
- Frances McDormand, “Nomadland” – WINNER
- Carey Mulligan, “Promising Young Woman”
McDormand now has three best-actress Oscars. First: in 2018 for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing.”
Actor in a Leading Role
- Riz Ahmed, “Sound of Metal”
- Chadwick Boseman, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
- Anthony Hopkins, “The Father” – WINNER
- Gary Oldman, “Mank”
- Steven Yeun, “Minari”
