95th Oscars recap

Academy winners, comebacks, diversity and celebrations

Stella Schneider / Asst. A&C Editor / The USD Vista

This year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hosted the 95th Academy Awards, also known as the “Oscars,” on March 12. The Academy Awards have been around since 1929, honoring films released each year. Outstanding films from the previous year are nominated for various reasons in 24 different categories, from directing, editing, costume design and more, celebrating each film’s accomplishments.

‘Best Picture’ is the most competitive category of the night, with 10 movies competing for the title. “Everything Everywhere All at Once” was favored to win by audiences in this category and in a number of others at the Oscars. It was originally picked up by A24 after its premiere at the South by Southwest Film Festival and grabbed the attention of audiences across the globe. Many predicted its success at the Oscars this year as it was nominated for 11 different categories. “Everything Everywhere All at Once” won at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, Writers Guild of America (WGA) Awards, Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards and Indie Spirits. While “Everything Everywhere All at Once” captured the hearts of many, “All Quiet on the Western Front” won ‘Best Picture’ at the British Academy Awards (BAFTA). This German film highlights the atrocities of World War 1 in Germany. With its win for ‘Best Picture,’ many wondered about the success of the film at the Academy Awards. In the end, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” won the best picture. 

‘Best Picture’ winner “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is available on Showtime or Paramount+ with a subscription, or available for purchase on Prime Video for $19.99. 

“All Quiet on the Western Front” was nominated for nine categories and took home four wins throughout the night. With wins in ‘Best International Feature Film,’ ‘Cinematography,’ ‘Production Design’ and ‘Original Score,’ the film still captured the attention of audiences across the world. 

Another heavily talked about category of the Oscars is ‘Best Actor in a Leading Role.’ Every year, actors are highlighted for their performances in films released the year prior. While there are five nominees for the category this year, two performances had many debating who would win: Brendan Fraser from “The Whale” or Austin Butler from “Elvis.” 

Butler won at the Golden Globes Awards for ‘Best Actor in a Drama Motion Picture,’ while Fraser won ‘Best Actor’ at the Critics’ Choice Awards, which added to the hype leading up to the Oscar night. 

Brendan Fraser won the title of ‘Best Actor in a Leading Role’ this year, with an emotional acceptance speech. 

USD junior Abby Stallard commented on the two nominees for ‘Actor in a Leading Role.’

“The Elvis Presley fan in me was hurting over Austin losing, especially after his amazing transition into the legendary Elvis. But I can’t help but cheer Brendan on for his performance, especially with the comeback stories celebrated this year,” Stallard expressed. “I was emotional over his [Brendan Fraser’s] return to the screen and Ke Huy Quan. I’m so proud of them both making it to that stage and finally being celebrated.”

Ke Huy Quan, winner of ‘Best Supporting Actor,’ was well known for his role in the Indiana Jones franchise and ‘The Goonies.’ After these films, Quan didn’t return to the screen until 2021. In his tearful acceptance speech, Quan explained his journey from a refugee boat as a kid to accepting an Oscar as an adult. 

“They say stories like this only happen in the movies. I cannot believe this is happening to me. This is the American dream!” Quan was overjoyed at his win and was seen reuniting with Steven Spielberg, writer and director of the Indiana Jones franchise, Quan’s first role on screen. 

‘Best Actress in a Leading Role’ also looked to be between Michelle Yeoh’s performance in “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and Cate Blanchett in “Tár.” The success of Michelle Yeoh playing Evelyn in “Everything Everywhere All at Once” was apparent throughout the year with constant recognition for her performance. On the other hand, Blanchett has won multiple awards for ‘Best Actress’ in a number of different film award ceremonies that have already taken place. At the Oscars, Michelle Yeoh became  the first Asian woman to win, ‘Best Actress in a Leading Role’ and only the second woman of color to win in this category in the 95 years of the ceremony. 

Yeoh’s speech was empowering to women, especially mothers everywhere — celebrating womanhood and diversity. Michelle Yeoh’s award was presented to her by Halle Berry, the only other woman of color to win ‘Best Actress in a Leading Role.’ Normally, the winners of best actor and actress from the previous award ceremony present the award to the new recipients, but after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on the stage last year, he was banned from attending the awards. As a result, Berry was the one to present the award to Michelle Yeoh.

USD Professor Dr. Eric Pierson reflected on the diversity at the Oscars on Sunday. 

“It was much more diverse than the past, but whenever we have movies that make an impact like this [Everything Everywhere All at Once] we hope it changes dynamics, but a year later it hasn’t changed at all,” Pierson expressed. “But Michelle Yeoh has been around for a while with interesting work so I was glad that she won best actress. Halle Berry giving her the award is something monumental for film lovers but may be overlooked by the casual viewer.”

The multiple categories show respect to all the work put into a movie. From talented directors, cinematography, music and writing, the Oscars support different people and groups that come together to release new, exciting films year after year. 

Winners of every category:

Best Picture

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Actor

Brendan Fraser (The Whale)

Actress 

Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once)

Supporting Actor

Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once)

Supporting Actress

Jamie Lee Curtis (Everything Everywhere All at Once)

Directing

Daniel Kawn and Daniel Scheinert (Everything Everywhere All at Once)

Original Screenplay

Daniel Kawn and  Daniel Scheiner (Everything Everywhere All at Once)

Adapted Screenplay

Sarah Polley (Women Talking)

Cinematography

All Quiet on the Western Front

Production Design

All Quiet on the Western Front

Editing

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Original Score

All Quiet on the Western Front

Original Song

Naatu Naatu (RRR)

Costume Design

 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Makeup and Hairstyling

The Whale

Sound

Top Gun: Maverick 

Visual Effects

Avatar: The Way of Water

International Feature Film All Quiet on the Western Front

Animated Feature Film

Pinocchio

Animated Short

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

Live-action Short

An Irish Goodbye

Documentary Feature Film

Navalny

Documentary Short

The Elephant Whisperer