The 97th Academy Awards are heating up with a splash of international flair, particularly from the Asian and Middle Eastern nominees, leaving a lasting impression. The nominations were officially announced yesterday after a slight delay caused by the Los Angeles wildfires, and it is safe to say that this year's race is absolutely amazing.
With 13 nominations, including Best Picture, Emilia Pérez (2024) was at the top of the list. The Brutalist (2024) and Wicked (2024), two other heavyweights, were not far behind with 10 nods each. Then there is Anora, a six-nominated, exciting movie about a sex worker's relationship with a Russian oligarch's son. However, what actually makes this year's Oscars so special is the representation of Asian and Middle Eastern talent.
Let us begin with Jon M. Chu's stunning version of the Broadway smash, the enchanted Wicked: Part I (2024). Chu, who brought us Crazy Rich Asians (2018), has once again achieved success with Wicked, receiving ten nominations. Best Picture, Cynthia Erivo's Best Actress, and Ariana Grande's Best Supporting Actress are on the list. Not only that, but there are other awards for makeup and hairstyling, original score, film editing, and costume design. The industry is being rocked by the unexpected reality that Chu himself did not receive the Best Director nomination.
With Black Box Diaries (2024), a documentary on Japanese journalist Shiori Itō's investigation into sexual assault in Japan, Asian voices are taking the lead in the documentary genre. The strength of investigative journalism and individual bravery are demonstrated by this compelling documentary, which has been nominated for Documentary Feature Film.
Asian inventiveness is also evident in the Animated Short Film category. In their 2024 film Magic Candies, Japanese directors Daisuke Nishio and Takashi Washio depict the oddball tale of Dong-Dong, a child who likes to play marbles by himself. He quickly learns that his old sofa starts talking to him when he puts one of the colourful, marble-shaped sweets in his mouth. It is a creative voyage into a kid's fantastical universe.
Actors from all across the world are featured in other animated films that are nominated. Filipino actress Liza Lapira provides the voice of Disgust in Inside Out 2 (2024), while Stephanie Hsu plays Vontra in The Wild Robot (2024). With voices from Lauren Patel and Muzz Khan, EvenWallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024) is a stunning film. It is a genuine celebration of artistic brilliance from up-and-coming artists to well-known stars.
With the 97th Academy Awards set to take place on March 23, 2025, all eyes will be on whether these groundbreaking nominations translate into wins. Regardless of the outcome, this year’s nominations signify a seismic shift in Hollywood’s narrative landscape, reflecting the global audience’s appetite for authentic and diverse stories.
