Immigrants, Sex Workers, and LGBTQ+ Win Major Awards
Filmmakers Indirectly Criticize U.S. Anti-Immigration Policies
Actor Joy Salda?a is enjoying the joy of receiving an award at the 97th Academy Awards. Photo by AFP and Yonhap News
"My grandmother came to the United States in 1961, and I am a proud child raised in an immigrant family. I am the first Oscar winner from the Dominican Republic, but I won't be the last."
Actress Joy Salda?a said this upon winning the Best Supporting Actress award for the film Emilia Perez at the 97th Academy Awards (Oscars). The audience gave a big cheer in response to her meaningful remarks, which seemed to allude to U.S. President Donald Trump's anti-immigration policies.
The ceremony was held on the 3rd (Korean time) at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, USA. Unlike previous years when the name 'Trump' was directly mentioned and criticized, this year filmmakers voiced their concerns about discrimination, oppression, war, and monopolization of victory in a more indirect manner. The Oscars awarded major prizes to works depicting stories of immigrants, sex workers, and LGBTQ+ individuals, which analysts interpreted as a backlash against the Trump administration's second term anti-immigration policies and the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
On this day, the film Anora took home the highest honors. The black comedy, which tells the story of Annie (Mikey Madison), a descendant of poor immigrants who works as a sex worker and becomes engaged to the heir of a Russian conglomerate, swept the major categories including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Actress (Mikey Madison), winning five awards in total. Director Sean Baker produced the film on a budget of $6 million (approximately 870 million KRW), and following last year's Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, it dominated the Oscars. The recognition of an independent film about sex workers was seen as a significant achievement.
The Best Actor award went to Adrien Brody for Brutalist. He portrayed the life of a Hungarian Jewish immigrant who fled Nazi persecution during World War II and moved to the United States. Upon receiving the award, he said, "I will pray for a healthy world where the aftermath and consequences of war, oppression, anti-Semitism, racism, and othering disappear." Brody set a record by winning two Oscars for Jewish roles. In 2002, he won Best Actor for his role as a pianist who survived the Holocaust in the film The Pianist.
The biggest surprise this year was No Other Land winning Best Feature Documentary. The documentary records the destruction of Palestinian villages and the eviction of residents during the construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and was directed by Palestinian activist Basel Adra.
Actor Daryl Hannah, who presented the Best Editing award, greeted the audience with "Slava! Ukraine" (Glory to Ukraine), showing support for the recent public exchange between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump.
There was also a performance. American actor Adam Sandler appeared in the audience wearing loose basketball shorts and a sky-blue hoodie. His casual attire stood out among the formally dressed filmmakers in dresses and tuxedos. Host comedian Conan O'Brien asked, "What on earth are you wearing right now?" Sandler replied, "Nobody cared what I was wearing until you pointed it out." He continued, "What does it matter what I wear? Did my cool sweat shorts and comfy T-shirt have to be mocked in front of my colleagues because they made you uncomfortable?" The audience responded with applause and cheers.
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