Following the 97th Academy Awards, the film “Anora,” directed by Sean Baker, came out on top. “Anora” was awarded all of the night’s highest honors, including Best Leading Actress, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and the most coveted award, Best Picture.
In her acceptance speech, Mikey Madison expressed her shock at winning Best Leading Actress. “I also just want to recognize the thoughtful, intelligent, beautiful, breathtaking work of my fellow nominees,” she said. “I’m honored to be recognized alongside all of you. This is a dream come true; I’m probably gonna wake up tomorrow.”
Madison is only the second actress born in the 1990s to win Best Leading Actress, following Jennifer Lawrence’s win in 2013.
Baker also finished the night as a big winner, taking home Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, Best Editing, and Best Picture. According to the New York Times, four Oscars awarded to one person for one film is a new record, ousting the current record holder of Walt Disney for “Mary Poppins.”
Professor Richard Fulton, Frederick Community College’s resident film professor, gave his insights on “Anora’s” dazzling sweep. “I am hoping young/newer filmmakers will be elated by Sean Baker’s win on Sunday evening,” he said. “He proved that you do not have to be a big name or be attached to a big-name studio or have a huge production budget to be recognized for the art [film] you create.”
“Last year, Cord Jefferson won an Academy Award for writing the screenplay for ‘American Fiction,’” Fulton continued. “In his acceptance speech he said, ‘The next Scorsese is out there. The next Greta Gerwig is out there now. They just want a shot, and we can give them one.’ I think that’s exactly what happened at this year’s Oscars. Someone gave Sean Baker a chance, and Sunday he became the only person to win 4 Academy Awards for the same film.”
The turnout for this year’s Oscar race has been inspiring for young filmmakers. “We made this movie for $6 million,” Baker said when accepting his award for Best Picture. “Shooting on location in New York City with about 40 crew members. This film was made on the blood, sweat, and tears of incredible indie artists.”
Fulton had one last word for the students at FCC who were paying attention to this year’s Oscars race: “Maybe the next Sean Baker is out there. And perhaps he or she are taking film classes at Frederick Community College.”
Overall, the 97th Academy Awards was full of surprises and inspiring moments for future filmmakers. Hopefully, “Anora’s” success will usher in other opportunities for indie filmmakers.
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