Emilia Pérez, Wicked dominate Oscar nominations, Sugarcane up for best doc
As fresh fires continued to rage through the Los Angeles region on Thursday, the movie industry was buzzing with excitement as the Oscar nominations were announced. Canadian stories and artists shone brightly, with nods across numerous categories, showcasing the diverse talent from the Great White North.
One of the big winners of the day was the Spanish-language, French-made film, “Emilia Pérez,” directed by Jacques Audiard. This Netflix narco-musical delves into the world of transgender identity and received an impressive 13 nominations, including best picture and a historic best actress nod for Karla Sofía Gascón, making her the first openly trans actor ever nominated for an Oscar.
Another standout was the Broadway adaptation of “Wicked,” which garnered nearly as many nominations as “Emilia Pérez.” Jon M. Chu’s lavish interpretation of the classic “Wizard of Oz” tale earned 10 nominations, including best picture and acting nods for stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
Tied for second place in nominations was “The Brutalist,” a haunting postwar period drama about an architect. The film received 10 nominations, with director Brady Corbet, along with actors Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce, and Felicity Jones, all earning well-deserved recognition for their outstanding performances.
Secwépemc filmmaker Julian Brave NoiseCat and journalist Emily Kassie also received an Oscar nomination for their groundbreaking documentary, “Sugarcane.” The film investigates the abuse and missing children at a B.C. residential school near the Sugar Cane reserve in Williams Lake, B.C., shedding light on the ongoing trauma that continues to affect Indigenous communities.
Denis Villeneuve, the Quebec-born director, earned a best picture nomination for “Dune: Part Two,” the highly anticipated sequel to the 2021 sci-fi epic. Villeneuve, along with his wife and producers, expressed their pride in the Academy’s recognition of their work on the film.
Toronto’s Linda Muir was also recognized for her exceptional work in costume design for the gothic horror film “Nosferatu.” Muir’s talent and attention to detail have been showcased in several films, including Robert Eggers’ previous projects like “The Witch” and “The Lighthouse.”
With a diverse array of nominations spanning various categories, the 97th Academy Awards are set to be a celebration of talent from around the world. From powerful documentaries to captivating musicals and visually stunning films, this year’s Oscars promise to be a night to remember for the global film industry.
