After a Palme d’Or, six European Film Awards, two Golden Globes, a British Bafta and six Césars, all that is missing from Justine Triet’s mantelpiece is an Oscar to complete her collection of trophies and end the cinematic adventure in style. extraordinary from Anatomy of a Fall.
This wish will perhaps be granted on the night of Sunday to Monday during which the 96th edition of the Hollywood high mass takes place in Los Angeles. Anatomy of a Fall is in the running five times. The most winnable category is the Oscar for Best Screenplay. Elsewhere in the best film, direction and editing sections, the legal thriller takes on the Oppenheimer steamroller. Christopher Nolan’s portrait of the father of the atomic bomb is the big favorite of this ceremony, with thirteen nominations.
Oppenheimer actors Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr are expected to win the men’s race. As for their sisters Da’Vine, Joy Randolph, the poignant grieving cook in the bittersweet Christmas comedy Winter Break, has won everything since the start of the awards season.
Also read: From Cannes to the Oscars, how Anatomy of a Fall is conquering the world
The suspense will be at its height regarding the trophy for best actress. Who will win between Emma Stone, astonishing and sensual female version of Frankenstein in Poor Creatures, and the revelation of Killers of the Flower Moon, Lily Gladstone? If Martin Scorsese’s actress triumphed, she would enter the history of the seventh art as the first Native American winner.
Despite the internationalization of the Oscar Academy, which has nearly 10,000 voters, it will be difficult for German actress Sandra Hüller, who plays the ambiguous novelist in Justine Triet’s film, to create a surprise. Same case for Barbie. The box office heavyweight saw his hopes of medals melt away like snow in the sun. The gently feminist comedy about the Mattel doll garners 8 nominations, including best film, but nothing for direction, nor for its star Margot Robbie. Even in the technical categories, Poor Creatures (11 citations) and Oppenheimer take Barbieland in stride.
Also read: The Oscars tease Greta Gerwig with a parody of Barbie on her way to glory
In the absence of Anatomy of a Fall, ineligible since not selected by the CNC to represent France, The Zone of Interest by Jonathan Glazer, an immersive sound story of daily life around the camp of the director of Auschwitz, is given the winner for the statuette for best international film.
In addition to the prize list, these Oscars, which are trying to boost their audiences, will be closely scrutinized for the dynamism of their scenography. This year, the ceremony is brought forward by one hour (from midnight on Canal) to bring together as many moviegoers as possible, including early sleepers. The presentation was entrusted to a veteran of the exercise, the host Jimmy Kimmel, who, as a trailer delivered a fairly effective parody of Barbie, with the help of Ryan Gosling. Greta Gerwig’s Ken will sing live and perform his character’s anthem I’m Just Ken on stage, surrounded by a troupe of 65 dancers.
The organizers of the evening also changed the label of the four interpretation prizes. Each nominee will be introduced by a former winner. Which promises a more than glamorous floor. Jennifer Lawrence, Charlize Theron, Christoph Waltz, Jamie Lee Curtis, Brendan Fraser, Matthew McConaughey, Lupita Nyong’o, Al Pacino… The hopefuls of the younger generation are also invited: Zendaya, Anya Taylor-Joy. In short, Hollywood is pulling out all the stops.