At the 2025 Oscars, “Anora” triumphs: the tragicomedy about a New York stripper who experiences a torrid love affair with a young Russian heir, was voted best film of the year.
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In a night of emotional moments, as the first Oscar of Brazil, the film, directed by Sean Baker, triumphed in five categories. Baker collected the statuettes for best director, best original screenplay and best editing, while its protagonist, Mikey Madison, won the statuette for best actress.
Baker devoted one of his many speeches to praising movie theaters, which have suffered a decline in recent years, in part due to the pandemic and the arrival of streaming, and to advocating for the continuation of big-screen production.
“We are all here tonight and we are watching this show because we love movies,” Baker said. “Where did we fall in love with movies? In the movie theaters,” Baker said. The American filmmaker, who has covered himself in glory, also thanked the sex workers, constant protagonists of his productions. “They have shared with me their stories, their life experience for years. My deepest respect. Thank you!”
“Conclave” only wins the award for best non-original screenplay
“Conclave,” the papal drama that portrays the intrigues in the Vatican during the election of a new pontiff and which also came in as the favorite against “Anora,” took away only the statuette for best adapted screenplay, entrusted to the British Peter Straughan.
Brazil made history by winning its first Oscar with the triumph of its dictatorial drama “I'm Still Here” for best foreign film. The film, which portrays the disappearance of former congressman Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello) in 1971, under the military regime, and the resistance of his widow, Eunice Paiva, beat the controversial musical “Emilia Pe'rez” in the category, which arrived at the gala with 13 nominations, but left with only two statuettes after criticism and controversy.
Brazil wins first statuette with the film “I'm Still Here”
“On behalf of Brazilian cinema, I am so honored to receive the award among this group of such extraordinary directors,” Salles said as he grabbed his statuette. “It’s something extraordinary.”
“I’m Still Here” was also nominated for best picture, while its lead, Fernanda Torres, competed in the best actress category, which went to Madison. – The proud daughter of immigrant parents – Madison, who plays a stripper who falls for a Russian heir only to discover that her fairytale is a nightmare, was stunned to lose to best actress Oscar frontrunner Demi Moore (“The Substance”).
The rest of the acting awards were unsurprising. Zoe Saldana won best supporting actress for her role as a lawyer who faces the biggest challenge of her career in the controversial musical “Emilia Perez.” “My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud daughter of immigrant parents, with dreams, dignity and hard-working hands,” Saldana said.
“I’m the first Dominican-American to accept an Academy Award, and I know I won’t be the last.” Kieran Culkin, the season’s big favorite, won best supporting actor for “A Real Pain,” written and directed by co-star Jesse Eisenberg. “I have no idea how I got here,” Culkin said after accepting the statuette. “I’ve been acting all my life. It’s just part of what I do.”
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo opened the gala, hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien, with a musical number that included “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked,” among other songs. The event also paid musical tribute to cinema’s most beloved spy, Agent 007, as well as the Los Angeles firefighters who battled the ferocious blazes that ravaged the entertainment capital in January.
The traditional In Memoriam segment, a final salute to the stars who died this year, was hosted by Morgan Freeman, who offered moving tributes to his colleague Gene Hackman, who was found dead with his wife this week in their New Mexico home. The late producer Quincy Jones was also the subject of an extended special segment with Queen Latifah. –
The winners of the main categories
“Anora,” the tragicomedy about the explosive romance between a stripper and a young Russian heir in New York, took the gala by storm, being crowned best film of the year and adding five statuettes in total.
Best Film: “Anora”
Best Director: Sean Baker, “Anora”
Best Actor: Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”
Best Actress: Mikey Madison, “Anora”
Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”
Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldana, “Emilia Pe'rez”
Best International Film: “I'm Still Here” (Brazil)
Best Animated Feature: “Flow”
Documentary by Mejor: “No Other Land”
Best Editing: Sean Baker, “Anora” –
Best Costume Design: Paul Tazewell, “Wicked”
Best Production Design: Nathan Crowley and Lee Sanders, “Wicked”
Best Makeup: Pierre-Olivier Persin, Ste'phanie Guillon and Marilyne Scarselli, “The Substance”
Best Original Song: Clement Ducol, Camille and Jacques Audiard, “El Mal” (“Emilia Pe'rez”).
Article published on March 3, 2025 - 06pm
Anora's victory as best film of the year is certainly an important milestone for cinema. But Conclave also made a good impression. I wonder if the pandemic has really affected theaters that much.
The film Anora won but there are many others that deserve more attention. The love story was very beautiful but I don't understand why only one type of film always wins awards. There should be more variety.
The film 'Anora' has won many awards and I have seen that it has moved the audience but I wonder if it is really so important compared to other films that have not had the same recognition. There are different opinions.
The Oscars event was very interesting and I found the winners well deserved. However, I wonder if the most controversial films can really receive awards in the future. The competition is increasingly fierce and you see a lot of strange things.
I also think that awards do not always reflect the true quality of films, there are many works that deserve attention and are not awarded. Let's hope that in the future there will be space for different productions.