‘Emilia Pérez’ Leads the Oscar Nominations Followed by ‘Wicked’ and ‘The Brutalist’

The prestigious Oscar nominations have been dominated this year by Jacques Audiard’s musical drama “Emilia Pérez”, a French-made, Spanish-language film that delves into trans identity. The Netflix film has crossed boundaries and shattered records by bagging a leading 13 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Karla Sofía Gascón, the first openly trans actor ever to be nominated for an Oscar.

The film has also received nominations for Directing, Original Screenplay, and two for its songs. Additionally, it has been acknowledged for Zoe Saldaña’s supporting performance. The director, Audiard, celebrated this recognition as an acknowledgment of the global world we live in.

However, despite its prominence in Hollywood, Netflix is yet to win the coveted Best Picture award. Previously, its top contenders like “Mank”, “The Irishman”, and “Roma” have gained numerous nominations but managed to take home only a few trophies. “Emilia Pérez”, however, stands out as its best chance yet. The film has surpassed Netflix’s own “Roma” by becoming the most nominated non-English language film in history.

Close behind “Emilia Pérez” was the Broadway adaptation, “Wicked,” which garnered nearly as many nominations. The Jon M. Chu’s lavish version of “Wizard of Oz” amassed 10 nominations, including Best Picture and acting nods for its stars, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Similarly, “The Brutalist,” Brady Corbet’s postwar epic, also scored a commanding 10 nominations.

In a year of surprises and shifts in the Oscar race, the Brazilian film “I’m Still Here,” a portrayal of political resistance under Brazil’s military dictatorship, and RaMell Ross’ “Nickel Boys,” a daringly crafted drama reevaluating the depiction of Black life and pain on screen, also managed to secure nominations.

Meanwhile, amongst the best actor nominees, Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong managed a surprising pair of nominations for their roles in “The Apprentice,” a film that dramatizes the early years of President Donald Trump. The film has been controversial, with Trump himself criticizing those involved with the film.

The nominations have come at a challenging time for Hollywood and Los Angeles, with devastating wildfires causing wide-scale destruction. Despite suggestions to cancel the Oscars, Academy leaders have insisted that the ceremony must proceed as a symbol of resilience and a testament to the economic impact on Los Angeles.

However, the usual celebrations and events surrounding Hollywood’s awards season have been significantly curtailed due to the fires. The film academy canceled its annual nominees luncheon while other events have been postponed or downsized. This year’s awards will focus on celebrating the work that unites the global film community, and will also acknowledge those who fought bravely against the wildfires.

Despite the challenges faced by Hollywood this year, the industry has still managed to produce some substantial hits, such as Universal Pictures’ “Wicked,” and three Walt Disney Co. $1 billion grossers. Still, with the Oscar nominations spread across films both widely seen and little noticed, theatrically released and predominantly streaming, this year’s Oscar race remains wide open.