Film awards: Oscar nominations: “Emilia Pérez” is the front runner

Film awards: Oscar nominations: “Emilia Pérez” is the front runner

Film Awards
Oscar nominations: “Emilia Pérez” is the frontrunner






Because of the fires, the Oscar nominations were postponed, but now they are here: “Emilia Pérez”, “The Brutalist” and “Wicked” lead – many German talents can also hope.

Lots of opportunities for German talent and film productions at this year’s Oscars – a whole range of contenders from Germany could win gold at the trophy gala on March 2nd. In terms of numbers, the musical thriller “Emilia Pérez”, the drama “The Brutalist” and the musical “Wicked” are at the top of the 97th Oscars. The French production “Emilia Pérez” was nominated 13 times, “The Brutalist” and “Wicked” 10 times each.

“The seeds of the holy fig tree” in the running for Germany

The drama “The Seed of the Sacred Fig Tree” by the Hamburg-based Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof was nominated for Germany in the International Feature Film category. The secretly filmed film is about the mass protests in Iran following the death of the young Kurdish woman Jina Mahsa Amini in September 2022.

At the center is a married couple with two teenage daughters. The film was mainly produced in Germany and could therefore be considered for the country. After charges and threats of imprisonment, Rasoulof left Iran last spring.

Producers Rozita Hendijanian and Mani Tilgner praised Rasoulof’s film team for their courage. “We feel very honored that “The Seed of the Sacred Fig Tree” has been nominated for an Oscar,” they said via German Films, the foreign representative of German film. The producers were pleased that the film and the efforts of the entire team, which was prepared to take every risk, “are now being recognized by the Academy.”

“Emilia Pérez” makes Oscar history

According to the Film Academy, “Emilia Pérez” makes Oscar history as the non-English language film with the most nominations ever. “The Brutalist” is the story of a Jewish architect from Hungary who wants to start a new life in the USA after the Second World War.

Lead actor Adrien Brody deals with the consequences of the Holocaust in “The Brutalist” more than 20 years after his Oscar win for “The Pianist”. In contrast to this is the film adaptation of the Broadway musical “Wicked” with US superstar Ariana Grande as the witch Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. The two were also nominated – Grande for best supporting actress, Erivo for best actress.

Edward Berger on the road to success

The Vatican thriller “Conclave” by Wolfsburg-born director Edward Berger is also one of the top candidates with eight nominations. “Conclave” is one of ten contenders in the top category of “Best Film”, and there are also trophies for leading actor Ralph Fiennes, supporting actress Isabella Rossellini, film music (Volker Bertelmann), costume design (Lisy Christl) as well as for adapted screenplay, set design and editing. The Bob Dylan film biography “Like A Complete Unknown” also has eight nominations.

Berger already triumphed at the Oscar Gala in 2023 with his war film “Nothing New in the West” with four awards, including best international film. At that time there was also gold for the best film music by the Düsseldorf composer Bertelmann.

“September 5”, Gerd Nefzer: Further German hopes

The German film “September 5” about the 1972 Olympic attack in Munich also has a chance of winning an Oscar. Director and author Tim Fehlbaum, screenwriter Moritz Binder and co-author Alex David are nominated for best screenplay.

German special effects artist Gerd Nefzer, who already has two Oscars, could win another trophy for his work on “Dune: Part Two.”

Many Oscar newcomers in the acting divisions

In the acting category, the nominees include Adrien Brody, Timothée Chalamet, Ralph Fiennes, Kieran Culkin, Edward Norton, Jeremy Strong, Cynthia Erivo, Demi Moore, Ariana Grande, Felicity Jones, Isabella Rossellini and Zoe Saldaña.

Many women, especially, are in the Oscar race for the first time. Demi Moore won her first nod at 62 with her fearless performance in the body horror film “The Substance” – as an older actress who injects herself with a miracle drug to look younger.

Also taking part for the first time is the Spanish trans actress Karla Sofía Gascón, who plays a Mexican cartel boss in “Emilia Pérez” who has his gender changed to female. Newcomer Mikey Madison shines in “Anora” as a self-confident sex worker, and Brazilian Fernanda Torres (59) is also celebrating her Oscar premiere.

The Brazilian impresses with her role in “I’m Still Here” by director Walter Salles. The film tells the story of a family that witnesses the cruel effects of Brazil’s military dictatorship in the 1970s.

Gala should take place despite the fire disaster

The shock after the devastating fires in Los Angeles with at least 28 deaths and more than 15,000 buildings destroyed is deep. The disaster led to the postponement of the announcement of the nominations. But the organizers want to stick to the long-planned gala date on March 2nd. Academy boss Janet Yang and managing director Bill Kramer emphasized that the ceremony would also pay tribute to the many firefighters and helpers and to celebrate and support the film community “during this difficult time.”

This task also partly falls to an Oscar newcomer. The US comedian Conan O’Brien will be on stage as presenter for the first time at the gala, succeeding comedian Jimmy Kimmel. O’Brien had his own late night show for decades and currently works primarily as a podcast host.

dpa

Source: Stern

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