Recently, on Sunday, March 2nd, the Oscars were revitalized; from a skit from Adam Sandler to a tear-jerking ballad of “Defying Gravity”, the 2025 Academy Awards ceremony was a performance in itself. This year, the Oscars had more viewings from our generation than it has in years.
Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the Academy Awards Ceremony was light and politics-free. A refreshing break from conflict, the show began with Ariana Grande’s rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. With the tragedy and terror that has been inflicted upon LA residents in the past couple of months, the performance of this hopeful song set the tone for a momentous night. Along with the power of music, O’Brien respectfully addressed the audience with an acknowledgment of the recent turmoil in Los Angeles. In O’Brien’s speech, he drew on the power of transformative arts, specifically film in this context and the importance of recognizing the arts in tumultuous times.
This year, the Oscars had a diverse spectrum of award winners. Iranian filmmakers Shirin Sohani and Hossein Malayemi flew into Los Angeles that Sunday morning, and ended the night with an award for Best Animated Short that will change the course of their careers. Sean Baker, director of Anora, went home with the incredible victory of five Oscar awards, including Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Picture.
Adrien Brody, a familiar face at the Academy Awards from his 2003 win as “Best Actor” in The Pianist, was given this award once again for his role in The Brutalist. In both films, Brody portrays grief and tragedy through his character as a Holocaust survivor. His remarks to the audience after he received the Oscar were inspiring and unforgiving: “I pray for a happier, healthier, and more inclusive world,” stated Brody. However, the actor’s 5 minute 40 second speech received criticism on multiple aspects, including the long-winded nature of his words, his gum-toss, and his commentary on the tackiness of social media.
The Oscars celebration this year came at a more important time than ever. In the midst of political angst, LA fires, and uncertainty about the future, the 2025 Academy Awards were a timely and effective opportunity to ground the world using it’s biggest stars.
