From historic wins to iconic moments, here’s what went down at this year’s Oscars ceremony.
The 97th Academy Awards started with a bang, as Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz, “Home” from The Wiz, and “Defying Gravity” from their 2024 blockbuster film to open the Oscars.
This year marks Conan O’Brien’s first time hosting the annual ceremony, which announcer Nick Offerman poked fun at during the show. Interrupting the host’s spiel, Offerman joked, “A challenge this big, coming so late in one’s career, must weigh on a man’s soul.”
In case you missed this year’s Oscars, here are some highlights that kept us tuned in.
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Latvia’s First Oscar
Early on in the show, Flow received the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film. The independent project, directed by Gints Zilbalodis, marks Latvia’s first Oscar win. It is also the first indie film to win in the category.
The story follows a cat and other animals finding refuge on a boat as a flood destroys their homes. Produced over five and a half years, the film debuted at the Un Certain Regard section of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, receiving critical acclaim.
Best Costume Design
Paul Tazewell took home an Oscar for Wicked, becoming the first Black man to win the award for Best Costume Design. Tazewell was up against fellow designers Arianne Phillips (A Complete Unknown), Linda Muir (Nosferatu), Lisy Christl (Conclave) and Janty Yates and David Crossman (Gladiator II).
During this award’s season, Tazewell won the BAFTA, Critics Choice, and Costume Designers Guild awards for his work on Wicked. For the film, the designer created over a thousand costumes, including iconic pieces such as Glinda’s bubble gown and Elphaba’s black dress. Tazewell is one award short from becoming an EGOT, with an Emmy (The Wiz Live!) and Tony (Hamilton) award already under his belt.
Tribute to James Bond
Several stars took the stage to perform a medley of songs from the James Bond film series in celebration of producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for their work on the iconic franchise.
The Substance star Margaret Qualley showed off her dancing skills as she performed to the Bond theme music. Afterwards, Lisa descended from the ceiling to sing “Live and Let Live” from the 1973 Bond film of the same name.
The Blackpink member passed the microphone over to Doja Cat and Raye, who sang “Diamonds Are Forever” (1971) and “Skyfall” (2012) respectively.
Zoe Saldaña’s First Oscars Win
Winning on her very first Oscars nomination—after starring in major franchises such as Avatar, Star Trek, and films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe—Zoe Saldaña was recognized for her role as Rita in the Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez.
“Thank you to the Academy for recognizing the quiet heroism and the power in a woman like Rita,” Saldaña said in her acceptance speech. “The fact that I’m getting an award for a role where I got to sing and speak in Spanish, my grandmother, if she were here, she would be so delighted.”
The actress also made history as the first American of Dominican heritage to win an Academy Award, adding, “And I know I will not be the last.”
A Statement for Peace
Directors Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, and Rachel Szor, all took the stage to accept the Best Documentary Oscar for their work on No Other Land. The filmmakers used the opportunity to highlight the war in Palestine, making a plea for “a political solution without ethnic supremacy.”
“We call on the world to take serious actions to stop the injustice and to stop the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people,” said Adra, a Palestinian journalist and activist. The film follows Adra as he resists the forced displacement of his people by Israel’s military in Masafer Yatta, a region in the West Bank.
Later, he befriends Abraham, a Jewish Israeli journalist who helps him in his struggle. Noting that he and Adra live “unequal lives,” Abraham added, “We live in a regime where I am free under civilian law and Basel is under military laws that destroy his life and he cannot control… Why can’t you see that we are intertwined, that my people can be truly safe if Basel’s people are truly free and safe?”
Brazil’s First Oscars Win
Walter Salles’ I’m Still Here received the Oscar for Best International Feature Film, becoming the first Brazilian film to win at the awards show. The biographical drama, based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s 2015 memoir of the same name, tells the story of Eunice Paiva’s search for justice after her husband’s disappearance during Brazil’s military dictatorship.
Premiering at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, I’m Still Here has become both a critical and box office success. “This goes to a woman who, after a loss suffered during an authoritarian regime, decided not to bend. And to resist. So, this prize goes to her. And it goes to the two extraordinary women who gave life to her, Fernanda Torres, and Fernanda Montenegro,” Salles said in his acceptance speech.
Adrien Brody’s Two-for-Two Win
Over the course of his acting career, Adrien Brody has been nominated for an Oscar twice—and won both times. His first win was in 2003 for his role in The Pianist, becoming the youngest actor to win the award at 29 years old.
Over 20 years later, Brody has returned to claim the award again, for his riveting work in Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist. “Acting is a very fragile profession. It looks very glamorous, and at certain moments it is,” Brody began his acceptance speech.
“But the one thing that I’ve gained from having the privilege to come back here is to have some perspective. No matter where you are in your career, no matter what you’ve accomplished, it can all go away. And I think what makes this night most special is the awareness of that, and the gratitude that I have to still do the work that I love.”
After interrupting the music that was trying to cut him off, Brody said: “Please turn the music off. I’ve done this before, it’s not my first rodeo. I pray for a healthier and happier and a more inclusive world, and I believe if the past can teach us anything, it’s a reminder to not let hate go unchecked… Let’s fight for what’s right. Keep smiling, keep loving one another. Let’s rebuild together. Thank you.”
Anora’s Major Awards
The evening’s final three awards all went to the indie film Anora, which ended up winning five out of six of its Oscars nominations. The Best Director award went to Sean Baker, who used his speech to support independent theaters, theatrical releases, and the moviegoing experience in general. Baker also took home awards for Best Film Editing, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Picture, becoming the first person to win four Oscars for the same film in one evening.
Mikey Madison, who played the film’s titular character, took home the trophy for Best Actress. “This is very surreal. I grew up in LA but Hollywood always felt so far for me. To be standing in this room is really incredible,” said the actress on stage. She also honored the sex worker community, adding, “I will continue to support you and be an ally.”
Anora follows Anora “Ani” Mikheeva, a 23-year-old stripper living in Brighton Beach. After meeting the son of a Russian oligarch, she embarks on a whirlwind romance that leads to a quickie wedding at a Las Vegas chapel. However, her fairytale is cut short when her new husband’s parents demand for the marriage to be annulled.
The film is one of the most awarded of 2024, receiving numerous accolades such as the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, a Best Actress BAFTA for Madison, and Best Picture at the Critics’ Choice Awards.
Banner image via Instagram @neonrated.
