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Los Angeles, March 2, 2025 — The 97th Academy Awards witnessed a sweeping victory for Anora, a provocative drama about a Brooklyn sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch.
Directed by Sean Baker, the film took home four major Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Actress for newcomer Mikey Madison.
The ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre, was marked by a noticeable decline in politically charged symbols related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, contrasting sharply with last year’s event.
Ramat Aviv resident and father of two Israeli children, Quentin Tarantino, presented the Best Director award to Baker, while Israeli superstar Gal Gadot, resplendent in a red gown, presented the award for Best Visual Effects alongside her Snow White co-star, Rachel Zegler.
Despite rumors of discord due to Zegler’s vocal support for Palestine, the duo appeared amicable on stage. Notably, Gadot opted against wearing the yellow-ribbon pin, a gesture she also avoided at the Golden Globes earlier this year. Her husband, Jaron Varsano, was seen with a silver pin resembling the yellow ribbon, sparking speculation.
While political symbols were fewer, Best Supporting Actor nominee Guy Pearce wore a white enamel dove with the words “Free Palestine,” a rare statement amid the otherwise cautious atmosphere.
In contrast, Adrien Brody, who won Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist, made an impassioned speech addressing the lingering traumas of war, antisemitism, and racism.
The Best Documentary Feature award went to No Other Land, directed by Israeli filmmaker Yuval Abraham and Palestinian filmmaker Basel Adra.
The documentary chronicles violence by settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank and has sparked controversy in previous award appearances.
In a powerful acceptance speech, Abraham and Adra emphasized the need for a political solution and condemned the ongoing suffering on both sides. “We are intertwined… Together, there is another way,” Abraham declared, urging the global community to act.
Other notable winners included Zoe Saldana, who won Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Perez, and Walter Salles’s I’m Still Here, which won Best International Feature.
The ceremony also paid tribute to the recent passing of actor Gene Hackman and acknowledged the wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles.
While the evening celebrated cinematic achievements, the cautious approach to political symbols reflected the complexities of a divided Hollywood, striving to balance art and activism in a world increasingly fraught with conflict.