The red carpet is unfurled, the A-listers are prepped, and anticipation hangs thick in the air – it’s finally Oscar night! This year, the 96th Academy Awards ceremony promises to be dominated by one film: Christopher Nolan’s highly acclaimed “Oppenheimer.”
With a staggering 13 nominations, “Oppenheimer” is the frontrunner in a multitude of categories. The biographical thriller, delving into the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb,” has captivated audiences and critics alike. Nolan, a director renowned for his meticulous craftsmanship and mind-bending narratives, is widely expected to break his Oscar-less streak this year.
Many film fans will also be cheering on Barbie, last year’s biggest hit at the box office, which has eight nods.
US television host Jimmy Kimmel will be presenting the awards from Los Angeles, with the show starting at 16:00 (PT), 19:00 (ET) and midnight (GMT).
More formally known as the Academy Awards, the Oscars have been recognising big screen talent since 1929.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, based in Los Angeles, annually nominate and vote across more than 20 categories including best picture, best actor and best actress.
Industry experts are calling “Oppenheimer” a “lock” for Best Picture, with whispers of potential wins for Nolan in the Best Director category as well. Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of Oppenheimer is generating serious buzz for Best Actor, facing stiff competition perhaps only from Paul Giamatti. The film’s technical prowess is also undeniable, with nominations in categories like Best Cinematography, Editing, Sound, and Score.
While film awards ceremonies including the Golden Globes and the Baftas attract plenty of attention, the Oscars is the pinnacle of achievement in the awards season calendar. The awards are voted for by Academy members.
Its British-born filmmaker Nolan is the hot favourite to pick up best director. While his films have collected Oscars previously, the man behind movies including Interstellar, Inception and The Dark Knight Rises has never won this prestigious category.
In fact, despite his pedigree, he’s only been nominated for best director once previously (Dunkirk in 2018). This is surely his year.
Four out of five nominated directors this year are European (Nolan has dual US/British citizenship but he was born and grew up here so we’re claiming him).
If, as widely expected, Oppenheimer’s Robert Downey Jr picks up the award for best supporting actor, it will also be a first Oscar win for him.
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