After the Golden Globes, the Oscars Are Just Around the Corner. The 97th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 2, in Hollywood. This year’s ceremony promises to spotlight feminism—and perhaps even French cinema.
French films as leading contenders
While cinema has long enjoyed a certain prestige in the United States, we may be witnessing its revival. After a triumphant showing at the Cannes Film Festival and the Golden Globes, the film Emilia Perez is breaking records. Previously, the most nominations a single film had received at the Oscars was 10, but Jacques Audiard’s masterpiece now boasts 13—a first in history. The film is nominated in 12 different categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Musical or Comedy. Its cast is also in the running for major awards.
Sofia Karla Gascon, the first trans actress to be nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Actress, is now competing for the Oscar in the same category. Zoe Saldaña, who won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress, is also in contention for the Academy Award.
Meanwhile, The Substance, directed by French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat, is making waves as well. This French horror/sci-fi film tackles the poignant issue of aging among women through a powerful narrative. Demi Moore, nominated for Best Actress, plays a former Hollywood star addicted to a youth serum. The film has earned five nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. If The Substance wins in either of these categories, Coralie Fargeat would receive significant recognition, as she is the only woman nominated in the Best Director category this year.
Fernanda Torres and other actresses in the spotlight
Alongside Sofia Karla Gascon, several other actresses are vying for the Best Actress Oscar. Demi Moore, who won the Golden Globe for Best Actress, is also nominated in this category. Other contenders include Cynthia Erivo for her role in Wicked, Mikey Madison for Anora, and Fernanda Torres for I’m Still Here.
In the Best Supporting Actress category, Zoe Saldaña faces competition from Manica Barbaro, who portrayed Joan Baez in A Perfect Stranger, Ariana Grande for Wicked, Felicity Jones for The Brutalist, and Isabella Rossellini for Conclave. It remains to be seen if Zoe Saldaña will retain the title she won at the Golden Globes.
A long history of underrepresentation
Since the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929, women have always played a part in the Oscars. However, in terms of representation and recognition, their presence has historically been secondary. Women have often been confined to acting categories, such as Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress, and excluded from key decision-making roles.
It wasn’t until 1940 that a Black woman, Hattie McDaniel, won an Oscar, and 2009 before a woman, Kathryn Bigelow, won Best Director. Even today, Coralie Fargeat is the only woman nominated in the Best Director category.