So the 93rd Oscars is done and dusted, with the trend for ethnic diversity and gender inclusion playing major roles in what this Oscars was all about.
There were 70 women with 76 nominations, a record for any given year.
Tyler Perry was given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his dedication to creating a safe work environment during the ongoing pandemic; his Camp Quarantine was a 30-page plan for work bubble safety and health compliance. And we have the first Korean actress to win the Best Supporting Actress category. Plus a half Pinay R&B singer takes home an Oscar for her co-writing credit for Best Original Song.
In a March article, I gave you my predictions and "steals", plus made a few changes after the BAFTA; so let’s see what my prognosticating skills amounted to:
Best Picture goes to Nomadland; and my bet was Nomadland.
Best Director went to Chloe Zhao for Nomadland, just as I predicted.
Best Actor is a win for Anthony Hopkins for The Father; while I thought Chadwick Boseman in Ma Rainey would take this.
Best Actress to Frances McDormand for Nomadland. My bet was Carey Mulligan or Frances McDormand, if voting went traditional.
Best Supporting Actor to Daniel Kaluuya, and my bet was Daniel Kaluuya
Best Supporting Actress Youn Yuh-Jung, and she was my ‘manok’.
Best Adapted Screenplay was won by The Father’s Florian Zeller & Christopher Hampton. I had picked Chloe Zhao for Nomadland.
Best Original Screenplay goes to Emerald Fennell; and my pick was Emerald Fennell for Promising Young Woman or Aaron Sorkin for Chicago 7.
Best Animated Feature is Soul. My bet as well.
Best International Feature Film is Another Round, and that’s my bet too.
Best Cinematography won by Mank’s Erik Messerschmidt. I had picked Nomadland's Joshua Richards.
Best Costume Design goes to Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and I had picked Emma.
Best Film Editing goes to Sound of Metal. My bet was Trial of the Chicago 7
Best Make-Up & Hairstyling goes to Ma Rainey’s, which was my choice too.
Best Original Score goes to Soul’s Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste, my bet.
Best Original Song is Fight For You from Judas & the Black Messiah, which was performed by H.E.R. That’s the stage name of Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, who has a Filipina mother. Composed by H.E.R. with D’Mile and Tiara Thompson. I had predicted a win for Lo Si (Seen) from The Life Ahead.
Best Production Design went to Mank, which was my choice.
Best Sound goes to Sound of Metal, my bet as well.
Best Visual Effects won by Tenet, as I predicted.
I didn’t offer predictions on Documentaries and Shorts but happy to note that Two Distant Strangers won for Best Live Action Short, and can be viewed on Netflix.
In a pandemic year, it was heartening to watch an Oscar not riddled by any strong anti-Oscar sentiments. For those wondering how many I got right, it’s 13 of 19. Hope to do better next year!