Jonathan Sim
The 97th Academy Awards celebrated a wide range of films and filmmakers Sunday night, delivering emotional speeches, historic milestones, and a spread of winners that reflected the industry’s evolving tastes. From prestige drama to genre filmmaking, the ceremony honored stories from across the cinematic spectrum.
Among the night’s biggest winners were Michael B. Jordan for Best Actor, Jessie Buckley for Best Actress, and Amy Madigan for Best Supporting Actress, while Paul Thomas Anderson took home Best Director and Ryan Coogler won Best Original Screenplay. After stepping off stage with their Oscars in hand, the winners continued the celebration in the press room, where they reflected on their creative processes, the inspirations behind their work, and the significance of their victories.
Jordan, who won Best Actor for his performance in Sinners, spoke about the preparation that went into portraying two distinct characters in the film. The actor said he relied heavily on writing and character backstory to differentiate them. “I write a lot of journals for my characters…I try to go from the earliest memory that I can conjure up and write all the way up to the first page of the script,” he explained, adding that the process helped him understand the perspectives and emotional histories that shaped each role. Reflecting on the recognition, Jordan also pointed to the legacy of Black performers who came before him, saying he felt fortunate to follow in the footsteps of artists like Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, and Forest Whitaker. “I’m here because of the people that came before me,” he said, emphasizing that his focus has always been “trying to do the work.”
Buckley’s Best Actress win marked a milestone as the first Irish woman to win the category, and the moment carried additional emotional weight for the actor. Speaking to reporters, Buckley noted that the win coincided with her first Mother’s Day as a parent. “My daughter got her first tooth this week. I woke up with her lying on my chest,” she said, reflecting on the timing of the moment. “What a gift to get to explore motherhood through this incredible mother that Agnes is and was, and then to become one myself.” Discussing the lasting impact of her role in Hamnet, Buckley said the experience deepened her understanding of emotional strength. The character, she explained, revealed that “tenderness is as vibrant and strong as strength,” something she hopes to carry with her long after the film.
Veteran performer Madigan earned Best Supporting Actress for her role in the horror film Weapons, a win that also highlighted the genre’s growing recognition within the Academy. Madigan said she immediately connected with her character when she first read the script. “As soon as I read it, I knew this woman… I knew that I could grab it by the throat,” she said. Reflecting on horror’s evolving reputation, the actor noted that the genre was once dismissed within the industry. “Horror…was looked at like you’re at the little kids’ table at Thanksgiving,” she joked, adding that the genre still requires the same creative ingredients as any acclaimed film: “You still need a great writer. You need a great director. You need wonderful actors and crew.”
Animation also had a standout moment during the ceremony, as K-Pop Demon Hunters won Best Animated Feature. Director Maggie Kang described the win as a meaningful milestone for Korean storytelling in global cinema, particularly following the historic success of Bong Joon Ho and Parasite. “I’m just so proud of Korean film,” Kang said, explaining that seeing Korean culture embraced on the global stage meant a great deal to her as a filmmaker.
Behind the camera, Anderson took home Best Director for One Battle After Another and used the press room to highlight the collaborative nature of filmmaking. “The reason I continue to do it is because of the people that I collaborate with,” he said, explaining that working with longtime creative partners remains the most rewarding part of the process. The director also acknowledged the film’s complex themes and morally complicated characters, noting that the story was intentionally designed to explore difficult ideas rather than present straightforward heroes.
Coogler, who won Best Original Screenplay for Sinners, revealed that Jordan had always been central to his vision for the film. “As soon as I imagined what those two characters were going to be, I knew I had to call Mike,” he said. The filmmaker also spoke emotionally about dedicating the film to his late uncle, whose stories and love of blues music helped inspire the screenplay. Coogler reflected that the personal roots of the story helped connect with audiences. “What matters to you oftentimes matters to other people if you can communicate the feelings the right way,” he said.
Together, the night’s winners reflected a ceremony that embraced both personal storytelling and global perspectives, underscoring the continued evolution of the film industry and the wide range of voices shaping its future.
Comments
Loading…