In a surprising turn of events, the Brooklyn-set comedy Anora, directed by Sean Baker, has emerged as the frontrunner in the Oscar race. On Saturday night, the film won both the prestigious Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures at the Producers Guild Awards and the top honor at the Directors Guild Awards. These wins place Anora in a prime position as the Academy Awards draw closer.
This year's awards season has been notably unpredictable, with multiple films competing vigorously for the Best Picture accolade. Initially, Anora gained momentum after winning the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The film, featuring Mikey Madison as a Brooklyn exotic dancer involved in a whirlwind marriage with a Russian oligarch's son, captivated audiences with its unique storyline and vibrant performances.
Although the spotlight shifted to other films, such as The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez, Anora has recently surged back to the forefront. Its renaissance was marked by an award for Best Picture at the Critics Choice Awards just ahead of its guild victories.
The significance of the Producers Guild Awards cannot be overstated. Historically, the winner of the Darryl F. Zanuck Award has aligned with the Oscar Best Picture winner 16 times out of the past 21 years. Similarly, the Directors Guild Awards (DGA) have predicted the Oscar winner in 66 of the past 74 years, making Sean Baker the standout favorite for Best Director. He faces a prestigious field of first-time nominees, highlighting the fresh talent animating this year’s Oscars.
In other awards news, the DGA also celebrated RaMell Ross’s Nickel Boys as the Best First Film. Ross's venture into narrative filmmaking has been lauded, with his film standing among the Best Picture nominees for the Oscars, signaling a vibrant breakthrough in his career.
While Jacques Audiard's Emilia Pérez enters the Oscar race with 13 nominations, early controversies have dimmed its success, opening the field for other contenders like Anora to gain ground. Moreover, the Annie Awards added further clarity to the Oscars’ animation category. The Wild Robot, from DreamWorks Animation, secured nine accolades, becoming a strong contender for Best Animated Film at the upcoming Academy Awards.
As Oscar voting kicks off on Tuesday, the industry watches closely to see if Anora's guild triumphs will translate into Academy success. With the stage set for intense competition and a dynamic array of films, the final race promises excitement and perhaps a few more surprises.
