United News of Bangladesh

Rising star Mikey Madison won the Best Actress Oscar on Sunday for her performance in Anora, a role that propelled the 25-year-old into an emerging film career after her early success in television, reports AP. Her win was part of a remarkable night for the Brooklyn-based comedy-drama, which claimed five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Sean Baker. Adrien Brody wins best actor for ‘The Brutalist’ "Wow, this is so surreal," Madison said, after hugging Baker and others before stepping onto the stage. "Forgive me, I'm nervous," she added, before reading a list of thank-yous from a piece of paper. Madison was previously known for portraying a moody teenager in the FX series Better Things, which wrapped in 2022. She also appeared in Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood and the fifth Scream film. These roles caught the attention of director-writer Baker, who created the lead role in Anora specifically for her. Madison trained in Russian, performed her own stunts, and even learned to pole dance for her role as an exotic dancer who marries the son of a Russian oligarch. "I want to again recognise the sex worker community. I will continue to support and be an ally," Madison said during her acceptance speech. The film premiered to critical acclaim at Cannes last year, winning the prestigious Palme d'Or. Since then, it has gained significant momentum, with its box-office success easily surpassing its $6 million budget. Veteran actress Demi Moore, known for her role in The Substance, had been the frontrunner for the Oscar, having won over Madison at both the Golden Globes and SAG Awards. However, Madison edged out Moore for the BAFTA award just days before the Oscar voting closed, as well as at the Independent Spirit Awards the previous weekend. Born Mikaela Madison Rosberg in Los Angeles as one of five children to psychologist parents, Madison's mother enrolled her in acting classes during her mid-teens. This came after she trained in competitive horseback riding, a solitary pursuit she found less fulfilling compared to the teamwork aspect of acting. ‘Anora; wins best picture at Oscars "I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me," Madison shared. "This is a dream come true. I’m probably going to wake up tomorrow." In addition to Moore, the other nominees in the category were Cynthia Erivo for Wicked, Karla Sofía Gascón for Emilia Pérez, and Fernanda Torres for I’m Still Here.

"Anora," a gritty strip club Cinderella story without a fairy-tale ending, claimed the Best Picture award at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, marking a victory for Sean Baker’s Brooklyn-based screwball farce, reports AP. Despite a tumultuous Oscar season, "Anora" – the Palme d'Or winner at Cannes – emerged as the surprising frontrunner. ‘No Other Land’ Wins Oscar for Best Documentary The $6 million film, which tells the story of an erotic dancer who runs away with the son of a Russian oligarch, stood out for its explicit nature, atypical for a Best Picture winner. Oscar voters overlooked blockbuster contenders like "Wicked" and "Dune: Part Two," instead adding "Anora" to a recent list of indie Best Picture winners, including "Everything Everywhere All at Once," "CODA," and "Nomadland." For a film industry transformed by streaming and economic uncertainty, Baker and "Anora" represented a return to cinematic purity. On the campaign trail, Baker advocated for a return to the 90-day exclusive theatrical release. "Where did we fall in love with the movies? At the movie theater," he remarked. Baker's four Oscar wins on Sunday tied a record held by Walt Disney, who achieved the same feat in 1954. It's an ironic connection, as Baker’s previous film, "The Florida Project," was set in a budget motel near Disney World. “Long live independent film!” Baker shouted from the stage. Of the 10 films nominated for Best Picture, eight walked away with at least one award. Acting awards went to Madison, Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin, and Zoe Saldaña. Brody won Best Actor for his portrayal of a Holocaust survivor in "The Brutalist," a performance that earned him his second Oscar, 22 years after his first for "The Pianist." "I pray for a healthier and happier and more inclusive world," Brody said in his acceptance speech. Madison triumphed in the Best Actress category for her breakthrough performance in "Anora," defeating Demi Moore, the frontrunner for "The Substance." Both she and Baker, like at Cannes, honoured the lives of sex workers in their speeches. Netflix’s "Emilia Pérez," despite a controversy involving star Karla Sofía Gascón’s offensive tweets, won Best Song and Best Supporting Actress for Saldaña. "I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award," Saldaña proudly said. ‘I’m Still Here’ wins Oscar for best international film Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor early in the evening for "A Real Pain." In his speech, he joked about a promise made by his wife, Jazz Charton, to have a fourth child if he won an Oscar. One of the night’s surprises was the Best Animated Feature win for the Latvian film "Flow," which defeated DreamWorks’ "The Wild Robot." The win marked the first-ever Oscar for a Latvian film. "Wicked," the biggest box-office hit among the Best Picture nominees, won awards for production design and costume design. Costume designer Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to win the award, earning a standing ovation. "Dune: Part Two" claimed wins for visual effects and sound, with its iconic sandworm making several appearances during the evening. "The Brutalist" took home Oscars for cinematography and score. Politics were mostly absent from the ceremony, although "Slava Ukraini" ("Glory to Ukraine!") was briefly mentioned. The Best Documentary award went to "No Other Land," a film about Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while "I’m Still Here," a portrayal of resistance in Brazil during the military dictatorship, won Best International Film. Host Conan O’Brien opened the ceremony with self-deprecating humour and avoided politics, focusing instead on celebrating Los Angeles’ resilience following wildfires. His monologue was well-received, and his musical routine was a highlight. This year’s unpredictable Oscars took place amid a challenging year for the film industry, with ticket sales down and production disruptions caused by strikes. While smaller independent films dominated the awards, the Academy will face the challenge of maintaining high viewership. The ceremony also paid tribute to Gene Hackman, the legendary two-time Oscar winner, who passed away earlier in the week. Morgan Freeman honoured Hackman, calling him a "giant" in the industry and a dear friend.