Hollywood is ready to announce the year’s greatest film, with joint favourites “Anora” and “Conclave” looking set for a heated battle at Sunday’s Oscars.
The red carpet has been laid out, the champagne is on ice, and the ceremony is underway.
The 97th Academy Awards gala, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will begin at 4:00 pm (0000 GMT Monday) to cap off a convoluted awards season that a racist tweet controversy and wildfires in Los Angeles have shattered.
With two very different films viewed as the front-runners for best picture, the battle for Hollywood’s biggest prize is too close to call as celebrities make last-minute changes to their dresses and tuxedos.
“There will be real tension,” Jacqueline Coley, the awards editor for Rotten Tomatoes, expressed. “I would say if ‘Conclave’ doesn’t win, it’s going to be ‘Anora.'”
The Hollywood Reporter’s awards guru Scott Feinberg told AFP, “Both sides are feeling more nervous than confident… that should be an indicator that this is a nail-biter.”
“Anora” by Sean Baker, which tells the story of a New York stripper and escort who marries a wealthy Russian playboy only to discover that her ideal marriage is a nightmare delusion, took home the Palme d’Or at the Cannes film festival in May.
Hollywood’s critics, writers, producers, and directors have awarded the low-budget independent film numerous accolades.
However, Coley claims that “the sex worker aspect makes it a little bit polarising.”
Many late voters seem to have been swayed by “Conclave,” a movie about the clandestine and ruthless election of a new Catholic leader, which was made all the more relevant by the health issues facing Pope Francis in real life.
In addition to the Hollywood actors’ SAG Award for finest cast, the film, which starred Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini, received high praise from the British BAFTAs.
“It is an old-school thriller with an all-star cast,” Coley remarked.
AFP was informed by one Oscars voter that they had chosen “Conclave” because “it’s just more of a traditional, classic ‘best picture’ film.”
– Oscar records –
The voter, who wished to remain anonymous due to Academy members’ inability to disclose their choices, also praised “The Brutalist,” a possible dark horse about a Jewish architect from Hungary who fled to the United States following World War II.
For months, Adrien Brody, who portrays the title character, a talented architect and Holocaust survivor, has been the clear favourite to win the Oscar for best actor.
In 2002, Brody won the prize for “The Pianist.” He would join the select group of double winners, which also includes Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando, if he wins again.
However, Brody lost the Screen Actors Guild Award to Timothee Chalamet, who gained widespread praise for his flawless portrayal of a cynical young Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown” and may be a spoiler.
He would surpass Brody’s record as the youngest winner in the category, and at just 29, he may have the most star power of this year’s nominees.
Feinberg stated that Brody is “still the safer pick,” given that enough Academy voters saw his three-and-a-half-hour film.
– ‘Wicked’ stars –
It is anticipated that the ceremony would be an emotional event.
It will pay tribute to firefighters who fought wildfires that destroyed Los Angeles in January and claimed the lives of at least 29 people.
Producers have asked “Wicked” singers Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande to perform in an attempt to capitalise on a recent increase in ratings, as last year’s gala included a memorable musical showstopper with a “Barbie” theme.
The event will be streamed live for the first time on Hulu, ABC in the United States, and more than 200 other countries.
