The time came for recognition to be given not just to actors or directors, but to the people who worked tirelessly to bring whole films together.
A lot has happened over the last year. With the pandemic painting a grim reality, it can be difficult to find a silver lining in these dark clouds. However, one thing has not stopped throughout the ordeal and that is the recognition of people's talent, especially in the entertainment industry. Despite social distancing, the Oscars didn't fail to award those whose creative work has pushed the boundaries to make remarkable films.
Even though the pandemic forced theaters to close down and people to turn to online streaming services to get their content, the 2021 broadcast of the award show, which can be classified as a film of its own, made history. The ceremony, held two months later than usual sans the glittery red carpet and after-parties, ensured the celebrations didn't stop, especially with regards to diversity inclusion. According to The Wire, some of the historic moments from the 93rd Academy Awards including:
- Chloe Zhao becoming the first woman of color and second woman ever to win Best Director
- Historically underrepresented ethnic groups such as Asian Americans and Muslims being nominated
- Two women — Chloé Zhao (Nomadland) and Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) — being nominated for Best Director for the first time
- The team of hairstyling and makeup for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom becoming the first Black women to win in that category
- Emerald Fennell being the first woman to win Best Original Screenplay for Promising Young Woman since Diablo Cody for Juno in 2008
- Youn Yuh-jung being the first Asian woman to win an Academy Award in 63 years for her role in Minari
- Ann Roth being the oldest woman to win an Academy Award at the age of 89
- Anthony Hopkins being the oldest actor to receive an Academy Award at the age of 83
It truly was a unique experience. According to the official Oscars website, here is a full list of the winners:
Nomadland
Frances McDormand, Peter Spears, Mollye Asher, Dan Janvey and Chloé Zhao, Producers
Anthony Hopkins, The Father
Frances McDormand, Nomadland
Chloé Zhao, Nomadland
Yuh-Jung Youn, Minari
Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah
Another Round, Denmark
Soul, Pete Docter and Dana Murray
My Octopus Teacher, Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed and Craig Foster
Soul, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste
Fight for You, Judas and the Black Messiah
Promising Young Woman, Written by Emerald Fennell
The Father, Screenplay by Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller
Mank, Erik Messerschmidt
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Ann Roth
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson
Sound of Metal, Mikkel E. G. Nielsen
Sound Of Metal, Nicolas Becker, Jaime Baksht, Michellee Couttolenc, Carlos Cortés and Phillip Bladh
Two Distant Strangers, Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe
If Anything Happens I Love You, Will McCormack and Michael Govier
Colette, Anthony Giacchino and Alice Doyard
Tenet, Andrew Jackson, David Lee, Andrew Lockley and Scott Fisher
Mank, Donald Graham Burt; Set Decoration: Jan Pascale
References:
https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2021
Cover image: (L-R) Peter Spears, Frances McDormand, Chloe Zhao, Mollye Asher, and Dan Janvey (Source: Getty Images | Photo by Matt Petit)
