©The names of the directors from left to right: Yorgos Lanthimos Christopher Nolan Martin Scorsese Justine Triet and Jonathan Glazer.
The 2024 Oscars promise to be memorable, with nominations that reflect both the diversity of modern cinema and some notable surprises. Among the highlights, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer stands out with thirteen nominations, while notable absences and records in nominations also make headlines. Here are five key points to remember from these nominations announced for the prestigious ceremony on March 10 in Los Angeles.
Oppenheimer: The Oscars' Favorite
Christopher Nolan, known for his complex storytelling, hits hard with his latest masterpiece, Oppenheimer, a biopic about the father of the atomic bomb. With thirteen nominations, this film follows in the footsteps of illustrious titles such as Titanic, All About Eve, and La La Land, which hold the record for nominations in the history of the Oscars. Having triumphed at the Golden Globes and the Critics Choice Awards and grossing nearly a billion dollars at the box office, Oppenheimer seems unstoppable.
The names of the actors from left to right are: Robert Downey Jr Robert De Niro Ryan Gosling Sterling K. Brown and Mark Ruffalo. Photo by AFPThe Surprise of Barbie
Greta Gerwig’s film Barbie, despite dominating the global box office, received only eight nominations, a modest total compared to other favorites like Oppenheimer, Poor Things, and Killers of the Flower Moon. The absence of Margot Robbie, the lead actress, in the Best Actress category has been particularly noted. However, America Ferrera, known for her role in Ugly Betty, represents the film with her portrayal of an ordinary mother delivering a passionate monologue about women’s status in society.
A Historic Year for Female Directors
The 2024 edition marks a significant advance for women in the film industry, with three films directed by women nominated for Best Picture. Among them, Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall, awarded at Cannes, and Celine Song’s Past Lives showcase the diversity and richness of female voices in contemporary cinema. This could explain Greta Gerwig’s absence in the Best Director category, where Justine Triet made her mark.
The names of the actresses from left to right are: Carey Mulligan Emma Stone Annette Bening Danielle Brooks and Sandra Hüller. Photo by AFPDomingo in the Spotlight, DiCaprio in the Shadows
The award season reserved a surprise with the absence of Leonardo DiCaprio for his performance in Killers of the Flower Moon. Instead, Colman Domingo is being praised for his role in Bayard Rustin. Domingo, mainly known for his supporting roles in films such as Lincoln and Selma, this time stands out as a gay civil rights activist. Furthermore, Lily Gladstone, DiCaprio's co-star in Killers of the Flower Moon, became the first Native American nominated for Best Actress.
Hollywood’s Golden Age
This year, cinema veterans are also being honored. Martin Scorsese, with his nomination for Killers of the Flower Moon, became the oldest nominee in the Best Director category at 81 years old. This is his tenth nomination, approaching the record held by William Wyler. In music, 91-year-old John Williams earned his 54th nomination for the soundtrack of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, a feat only surpassed by Walt Disney.
The nominations for the 96th Academy Awards reflect the evolution and diversity of the cinematic landscape. From commercial successes to auteur films, from emerging new voices to established legends, this year promises to celebrate cinema in all its forms. The evening of March 10 in Los Angeles is set to be rich in emotions and acknowledgments for the global film industry.
With AFP
Béatrice Moreau
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