Chloe Zhao first woman of colour to win Best Director
Road movie Nomadland won the top prize at the 93rd Academy Awards, which fulfilled many expectations but threw in a couple of surprise wins in an unusual ceremony.
Its director Chloe Zhao also made history as the becoming the first woman of colour to win the award for directing, and the second woman in history — and the film scooped a best actress prize for its star Frances McDormand.
Sir Anthony Hopkins won the best actor Oscar — his first since Hannibal Lecter in 1992 — for his performance in The Father, about a man slipping into dementia, defeating presumptive favourite Chadwick Boseman, who died last year aged 43 following a private four-year battle with colon cancer.
Daniel Kaluuy, who was born in London to Ugandan parents, is the first black British winner of the best supporting actor prize for his turn as community organiser and member of the Black Panther Party Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah.
There were a number of surprise wins. David Fincher’sMank led the pack with 10 nominations, but ultimately won two.
Due to coronavirus, the Oscars moved out of their usual venue, the Dolby Theatre, and were based out of Los Angeles’s Union Station instead. The ceremony’s format was overhauled too, with attendees observing social distancing and some joining via video link from other parts of the world.
Nomadland had been a favourite to win Best Picture; it fulfilled that expectation, beating The Father, Judas and the Black Messiah, Mank, Minari, Promising Young Woman, Sound of Metal, and The Trial of the Chicago 7.
Minari actor Youn Yuh-jung also won over the crowd in her acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress, which was presented to her by Brad Pitt. “Mr Brad Pitt, finally, nice to meet you!” she told him after making her way onto the stage. She then proceeded to acknowledge the ways in which her name has been mispronounced throughout the awards season, telling the crowd: “Tonight, you are all forgiven.”
With her win, Youn became the first Korean actor to take home an Academy Award.
Follow our liveblog for highlights from the ceremony and the buzz-worthy aftermath.
Oscar winner Yuh-Jung Youn – who won for her supporting role in Minari – has spoken about her history-making victory.
As reported by Indie Wire, the 73-year-old – who is the first Korean to win an acting Oscar – said: “I don’t believe in competition in my field, because we are comparing different roles. I’m just lucky tonight. Luckier than the other nominees.”
Who said actors aren’t humble?
OSCAR-ACTRIZ DE REPARTO
(AP)
Annabel Nugent26 April 2021 12:21
While the Oscars are all about celebrating the best films of the year, the Razzies look to award the worst.
As is customary on Oscars-eve, the “winners” of the Razzies were announced on Saturday (24 April).
Sia’s controversial film Music picked up three “dishonours”, including Worst Director for Sia, Worst Actress for Kate Hudson and Worst Supporting Actress for Maddie Ziegler.
See here for the other films and actors to have come out on top, or rather, on the bottom.
Annabel Nugent26 April 2021 12:12
Although Glenn Close lost out on Best Supporting Actress, the nominee still made history last night – although perhaps in the way she would’ve liked to.
Her loss to Minari star Yuh-Jung Youn meant that Close has now become the most Oscar-nominated female actor to never win. She is also the only living actor to have lost eight times, tying with the late British actor Peter O’Toole.
Find out what else she was nominated for, and which other actors have received multiple nominations but zero wins.
Annabel Nugent26 April 2021 12:02
Although it’s been a while since Tom Cruise has been recognised at the Academy Awards, the three-time nominee still made headlines yesterday.
Cruise reportedly “saved a cameraman” during a stunt on a train when filming Mission: Impossible in Yorkshire.
The 58-year-old has previously been feted with Oscar nominations for his roles in Born on the Fourth of July (1990), Jerry Maguire (1997) and Magnolia (2000).
Annabel Nugent26 April 2021 11:52
In case you missed it, here’s your comprehensive guide to what went down at this year’s Oscars and what everyone’s talking about in the aftermath.
Annabel Nugent26 April 2021 11:43
In the wake of Riz Ahmed’s loss in the Best Actor category, fans have dug up a photograph of the British actor posing next to a car with a number plate reading: “IM SAD”.
The hilarious photo has since gone viral on social media in the context of Ahmed’s loss to Anthony Hopkins.
Annabel Nugent26 April 2021 11:32
This year, viewers are criticising the Academy for omitting Arrested Development star Jessica Walter, who died in March, and Naya Rivera, who died in July 2020, from the contentious segment.
Annabel Nugent26 April 2021 11:22
With Daniel Kaluuya picking up his first Academy Award, many Brits have remembered the actor’s humble beginnings as Posh Kenneth on the Bristol-set teen drama Skins.
Annabel Nugent26 April 2021 11:11
We’ve compiled the best star’s-eye views of the event throughout the night, and the most revealing behind-the-scenes shots that show what it’s really like at the Oscars.
Annabel Nugent26 April 2021 11:01
While conversation around the Best Original Song category was dominated by Eurovision’s entry, it was H.E.R. who ended up taking home the prize for her song in Judas and the Black Messiah.
Her collaboration with Dernst Emile II and Tiara Thomas “Fight For You” beat out tracks from The Trial of the Chicago 7 (“Hear My Voice”), Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (“Husavik”),The Life Ahead (“Io Sì (Seen)”), andOne Night in Miami (“Speak Now”).
Annabel Nugent26 April 2021 10:51
