It is So far again: The Oscars will be awarded in Los Angeles. Which films are the big favorites this year? Who is shining on the red carpet, what surprises are there?
By Katharina Wilhelm, ARD Studio Los Angeles
Todd Philipps’ “Joker” has the greatest chance of winning many Oscars: At least the character study, which wants to explain the origin of the comic book villain “Joker”, has entered the race with eleven nominations, including the best film. Whether he will also win in this category is controversial among critics – because the film has divided the audience. But what should be certain: The acting performance of leading actor Joaquin Phoenix should be gold-plated. Phoenix had lost around 25 kilograms for the role, an ordeal that the Oscar Academy often rewards.
War epic “1917”
Even if “Joker” is a favorite, several films with ten nominations are hot on his heels: The war episode “1917” by Sam Mendes, for example. Because of the outstanding camera work, which makes the film look like it was shot in one shot, it also has a good chance of being named best film.
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” by Quentin Tarantino, a film about an aging actor and his stunt double – played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt – has received ten nominations. There is also “The Irishman” by Martin Scorsese: The mafia thriller is about an Irishman who is blamed for the disappearance of a union leader.
Secret favorite: “Parasite”
This year there is a specialty among the nominees: actress Scarlett Johansson has been nominated twice. As the best leading actress for “Marriage Story “and as the best supporting actress in” Jojo Rabbit “. However, Renée Zellweger probably has the best chance of winning an Oscar for her portrayal of Judy Garland in” Judy “.
A film is considered a secret favorite because it is the favorite of critics: the South Korean drama “Parasite” by director Bong-Joon-ho. It is the story of a poor family who is gradually nesting in the home of an upper-class family in South Korea. The drama is nominated for best foreign language film, but it could also win the race for “best film”.
Germany has had little luck with the nominations this year. After all, it is SWR–Co-production “Eine Klinik im Untergrund – The Cave” nominated for an Oscar in the “Best Documentary” category. The film is about the courageous commitment of a doctor in Syria, who is fighting for human lives there.
No woman nominated
The Oscars were criticized in advance, after no woman was nominated in the “best director” category – the nominated actors were also criticized for lacking diversity. Only Cynthia Erivo was the only black actress to be nominated for “Harriett”.
So once again the accusation is made that Hollywood is too white and too masculine.
Influence of streaming services
And it’s not just these discussions that put pressure on the filmmakers who make up the Academy Academy members. The influence of the streaming services is again clear: There were 23 nominations this year for Netflix, among others for the films “The Irishman”, “The Two Popes”, “Marriage Story”, the animated film “Klaus” and for the documentary “American Factory”. By the way, Michelle and Barack Obama are also nominated for an Oscar, whose production company “Higher Ground” produced the documentary.
The Oscars will take place again this year without a moderator, instead a wide variety of people from the entertainment industry will lead through the evening.
