Sian Heder directed compelling drama-musical ‘CODA’ took home the biggest award of the night- the Oscar for Best Picture. Will Smith won his first-ever Oscar- the award for Best Actor, for playing the role of Richard Williams in ‘King Richard’. Jessica Chastain, the three-time Oscar nominee, won the Best Actress award for playing televangelist Tammy Faye in the ‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’.
While celebrations for the big wins were underway, and deservedly so, the most shocking incident of the award ceremony was Best Actor winner Will Smith slapping presenter and comedian Chris Rock, over a joke the actor thought had gone too far.
The Oscars are back in Hollywood, as nominees from top contending films including “CODA,” “The Power of the Dog” and “Belfast” hit the red carpet Sunday for the movie industry’s biggest night. After a year away from the Dolby Theatre due to the pandemic, the 94th Academy Awards are back in the heart of Tinseltown, where A-listers who have passed strict Covid-19 testing protocols arrived draped in their finest gowns and tuxedos once again.
The show, for the first time will be hosted by three women hosts- actor Regina Hall, and comedians Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes. The oscars have been hostless since 2018, when talk show host Jimmy Kimmel emceed the show.
This year’s ceremony had also been surrounded by controversy as the academy decided to cut out eight award categories from the main ceremony, to be given off-air, with clips being edited into the live telecast later.
Here are the latest updates:
Time for the biggest Oscar of the night
The wait is over! The 94th Academy Award for the Best Picture goes to Sian Heder’s ‘CODA’ -a compelling story of a deaf family, which only has one hearing member, a teenage girl; navigating its way through the human condition. The film was released on the streaming platform Apple TV+; this is the first time a film released on the platform has won an award. It was a close call between ‘CODA’ and Jane Campion directed ‘The Power of the Dog’, which received the most nominations this year. h
CODA was nominated in three categories and won in all of them. Troy Kotsur, who played the father in the film, took home the Best Supporting Actor Award, while director Sian Heder bagged the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar.
"Coda" cast and crew accept the award for Best Picture for "CODA" onstage during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 27, 2022. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) | Photo Credit: ROBYN BECK
Jessica Chastain gets Best Actress
Anthoney Hopkins presents the Oscar for Best Actress to Jessica Chastain for playing the role of controversial televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker in The Eyes of Tammy Faye.
US actress Jessica Chastain (L) accepts from British actor Anthony Hopkins the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" onstage during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 27, 2022. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) | Photo Credit: ROBYN BECK
The big award of the night: Best Actor
Put your hands together for Will Smith- who wins his first-ever Oscar, 25 years after his first nomination; for his portrayal of Richard Williams in ‘King Richard’. Smith played the role of the father to tennis legends Serena and and her sister Venus Williams.
The film tells the story of the often controversial and abrasive Williams, who had a plan (85 pages) for his daughters even before they were born.
Celebrating 28 years of Pulp Fiction
A still from ‘Pulp Fiction’
Actors of the 1994 Quentin Tarantino dark comedy and cult feature Pulp Fiction, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, and John Travola on stage to celebrate 28 years of the film.
Jane Campion bags Best Director
Jane Campion became the third woman director to ever win an Oscar in this category, for her Benedict Cumberbatch-starring Western drama ‘The Power of the Dog’.
Jane Campion accepts the Oscar for Best Director for "The Power of the Dog" at the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 27, 2022. REUTERS/Brian Snyder TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY | Photo Credit: BRIAN SNYDER
Her film is the top nominee of the night with 12 nominations. Jane is the first woman ever to be nominated two times in the Best Director category.
Will Smith slaps Chris Rock
Presenter and comedian Chris Rock cracked a joke about actress Jada Pinkett Smith, the wife of Best Actor nominee Will Smith; this did not go well with Mr. Smith, invoking a shocking reaction.
While presenting the award, Mr. Rock made a comment on Ms. Pinkett Smith’s shaved head.
In the recent past, she had been open about her struggle with alopecia, a condition leading to hair loss.
After the comment made by the comedian, Will Smith walked on to the stage, slapped Mr. Rock and told him to keep the latter’s wife out of it.
Will Smith hits Chris Rock as Rock spoke on stage during the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 27, 2022. REUTERS/Brian Snyder | Photo Credit: BRIAN SNYDER
Best Original Song
Jake Gyllenhaal and Zoe Kravits are on the stage to give the Oscar away and it goes to....American alternative pop singer Billie Eilish and her sibling Finneas O’ Connell for the song ‘No Time To Die’ from the James Bond film ‘No Time To Die’.
US singer-songwriter Finneas O'Connell (L) and US singer-songwriter Billie Eilish accept the award for Best Music (Original Song) for "No Time to Die" onstage during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 27, 2022. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) | Photo Credit: ROBYN BECK
Dune wins Best Production Design
With this one in the bag, sci-fi adventure ‘Dune’ , which was nomited in 10 categories, has one six awards tonight.
Remembering the greats
The Academy pays tribute to industry greats who left us last year in the In Memoriam segment, including American actor and director Sidney Poitier, actors Ned Beatty and Clarence Williams II, American filmmaker Richard Donner, Canadian director Ivan Reitmen and legendary American actress Betty White.
‘The Godfather’ tribute
The Oscars pay tribute to Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 American-crime cult classic ‘The Godfather’- adapted from Mario Puzo’s novel with the same name.
Francis Ford Coppola, and the film’s actors Robert De Niro and Al Pacino on stage.
Frances Ford Coppola (C), Robert De Niro (R) and Al Pacino take the stage during a tribute to the "Godfather" movies during the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 27, 2022. REUTERS/Brian Snyder | Photo Credit: BRIAN SNYDER
Best Documentary Feature
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s American documentary ‘Summer of Soul’- about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival that celebrated African-American music.
Achievement in Film Editing
Joe Walker takes it for Denis Villeneuve directed sci-fi feature ‘Dune’.
Singers and Songwriters Billie Eilish and Finneas perform this year’s nominee for Best Song, ‘No Time To Die’ from the Daniel Craig-starrer Bond film ‘No Time To Die’.
‘CODA’ gets its for Best Adapted Screen Play
American writer and filmmaker Sian Heder receives the Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the feel-good sundance-winner ‘CODA’ - an organically-told story of a family that happens to be deaf and adapting to financial challenges and raising a family.
Best Original Screenplay
And.... eight-time nominee Kenneth Branagh takes it for British drama ‘Belfast’- an autobiographical account of a young boy and his working-class family in Belfast of the 1960s- a rocky period in Ireland.
Kenneth Branagh accepts the award for best original screenplay for "Belfast" at the Oscars on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) | Photo Credit: Chris Pizzello
‘We don’t talk about Bruno’ performance
The cast and artists from Disney’s Animated Feature and tonight’s winner in the category ‘Encanto’ perfrom the popular track from the movie, ‘We don’t talk about Bruno’.
Costume Desgin
Oscar winners Lupita Nyog’o and Ruthie Carter are here to present the Award, and it goes to Jenny Beaven for Emma Thompson-starrer ‘Cruella’. Ms. Beavan has won the award in the same category twice in the past in 1987 and 2016.
Best Live Action Short Film
Riz Ahmed and Aniel Karia’s ‘The Long Goodbye” takes the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.
Oscars run disclaimer for Ukraine situation
A disclaimer to support Ukraine in ‘any way possible’ is run onscreen with the #STANDWITHUKRAINE
Best International Feature Film
Simu Liu and Tifanny Haddish are here to present the Oscar for International Feature, and it is clinched by.....Ryûsuke Hamaguchi’s drama ’Drive My Car’ from Japan. This is the fifth Oscar and 14th nomination for Japan.
The film focuses on the journey of a renowned stage actor and director learning to cope with the unexpected death of his wife, as he receives an offer to direct a theatre production.
Ryusuke Hamaguchi accepts the award for "Drive My Car," from Japan, for best international feature film at the Oscars on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) | Photo Credit: Chris Pizzello
Best Actor in Supporting Role
Last year’s winner for Best Supporting Actress Yuh-Jung Youn is here to present the Award, and it goes to.....Troy Kotsur for ‘CODA’ - an uplifting drama from Apple+ TV about an eccentric deaf family, and their musical daughter who can hear. The actor played the role of deaf Massachusetts fisherman Frank Rossi.
This is Mr. Kotsur’s first Oscan win and nomination; he is the second deaf actor to ever win.
Giving his acceptance speech in sign language, the actor said: “This is dedicated to the deaf community, the CODA community and the disabled community. This is our moment!”
US actor Troy Kotsur accepts the award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for "CODA" onstage during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 27, 2022. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) | Photo Credit: ROBYN BECK
‘The Windshield Wiper’ bags Best Animated Short
Alberto Mielgo and Leo Sanchez’s ‘The Windshield Wiper’ took home the Oscar for the Best Animated Short Film
Best Animated Feature- Encanto
Disney’s animated film Encanto, about a Columbian teenage girl born without a magical power in a family, where every member has one, has bagged the Best Animated Feature Award.
Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino, and Clark Spencer received the Award.
Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film for "Encanto" at the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 27, 2022. | Photo Credit: BRIAN SNYDER
Achievement in Visual Effects
Paul Lambert, Tristan Myles, Brian Connor, and Gerd Nefzer clinch the award in the Best Visual Effects category for ‘Dune’.
Best Documentary Short winner announced
“The Queen of Basketball,” about the basketball legend Lusia Harris, took best short documentary film.
Dune takes home the award for Cinematography
And it goes to..Greig Fraser for Denis Villeneuve’s movie Dune. This is his first Oscar and second nomination.
Ariana Debose wins Best Supporting Actress
The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress goes to...Ariana Debose for her role as a Hispanic woman Anita in Steven Spielberg’s musical romantic drama ‘West Side Story’.
This is Ms. Debose’s first Oscar and nomination; she won a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and a SAG for her role in the same category.
“Even in this weird world we live in, dreams do come true... thank you Steven Spielberg you are stuck with me now.,” the actor said in her acceptance speech, also talking about race and identity.
In 1962, actress Rita Morena had won an Oscar for the same role of Anita in the original film ‘West Side Story’; becoming the first Hispanic actress to win the Best Suporting Actress category
Ariana DeBose accepts the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "West Side Story" at the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 27, 2022. REUTERS/Brian Snyder | Photo Credit: BRIAN SNYDER
‘Dune’ wins four Oscars as Academy Awards start off-camera
“Dune” got out to an early lead, winning for production design, editing, sound and for Hans Zimmer’s score. Though it’s not favored in the top awards, ‘Dune’ — the biggest blockbuster of this year’s 10 best-picture nominees — was widely expected to clean up in technical categories. - AP
Hosts for the evening- Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes begin show
Beyonće performs oscar-nominated song ‘Be Alive’
Popstar Beyonće Knowles peforms the song ‘Be Alive’ from Best-Picture nominated King Richard; in Crompron city, Los Angeles.
Red carpet arrivals begin at an Oscars hoping for a comeback
Real life couple, and Best Actoress and Actor nominees for this year, Penelope Cruz and husband Javier Bardem pose on the red carpet during the Oscars 2022 arrivals. | Photo Credit: ERIC GAILLARD
Invitees and nominees have started arriving in their award-night ensembles at the red carpet that was rolled out, for the first time in two years at the Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre for what the film academy hopes will be a ‘back-to-normal’ Oscars, except for all the stuff that’s changed.
Some at the red carpet, including Oscar-winning actress Youn Yuh-jung, nominated songwriter Diane Warren and actress Jamie Lee Curtis wore blue ribbons reading #WithRefugees, showing support for those who have fled Ukraine and other conflict zones.
These are the nominees for best picture at the 94th Academy Awards:
- Nightmare Alley
- Don’t Look Up
- Dune
- Drive My Car
- Belfast
- Licorice Pizza
- The Power of the Dog
- West Side Story
- King Richard
- Coda
The nominees for best actor (male):
- Andrew Garfiled (tick, tick... BOOM)
- Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog
- Javier Bardem (Being the Ricardos)
- Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth)
- Will Smith (King Richard)
The nominees for best actor (female):
- Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)
- Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter)
- Kristen Stewart (Spencer)
- Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos)
- Penélope Cruz (Madres paralelas)
The nominees for best director:
- Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog)
- Kenneth Branagh (Belfast)
- Ryusuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car)
- Steven Spielberg (West Side Story)
- Paul Thomas Anderson (Licorice Pizza)
The nominees for best original song:
- No Time To Die (Billie Eilish, FINNEAS)
- Dos Oruguitas (Lin-Manuel Miranda)
- Somehow You Do (From The Motion Picture Four Good Days; singer: Diane Warren)
- Be Alive (Original Song from the Motion Picture “King Richard”; singer: Beyoncé, DIXSON)
- Down to Joy (Van Morrison)
