Unfortunately for UK viewers, many of the films nominated at the 93rd Academy Awards have yet to be released, either digitally or in cinemas, including Chloé Zhao’s intimate travelogue Nomadland and the Carey Mulligan-starring rape-revenge Promising Young Woman. Several Netflix-produced features have been available for some time now, including David Fincher’s black-and-white paean to Classical Hollywood, Mank, and Aaron Sorkin’s much over-hyped The Trial of the Chicago 7, which fetches a surprising six nominations.
After much criticism over recent years, this year’s nominations finally show a greater level of diversity – although not quite the range boasted in the Baftas – particularly in the acting and directing categories. However, despite Hildur Guðnadóttir’s triumph with her brooding score for Joker last year, the total absence of women from this year’s best original score shamefully takes the awards two steps back. Likewise, I can’t help but feel that Mank, whilst lovingly made by Fincher and his late father, is regrettable evidence that Hollywood will quite happily reward anything about itself, often instead of more-deserving and smaller releases.
Nevertheless, I am particularly happy to see Jasmila Žbanić’s astonishing and scorching Quo Vadis, Aida? nominated in the best international feature film category, as well as nominations for Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield in the furious Judas and the Black Messiah.
Best actress in a supporting role
Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm – should win
Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy – will probably win
Olivia Colman, The Father
Amanda Seyfried, Mank
Yuh-Jung Youn, Minari
Best costume design
Emma – should win
Mank – will probably win
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Mulan
Pinocchio
Best original score
Da 5 Bloods
Mank – will probably win | should win
Minari
News of the World
Soul
Best adapted screenplay
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
The Father
Nomadland – will probably win | should win
One Night in Miami
The White Tiger
Best original screenplay
Judas and the Black Messiah
Minari
Promising Young Woman – should win
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7 – will probably win
Best actor in a supporting role
Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7
Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah – will probably win | should win
Leslie Odom, Jr, One Night in Miami
Paul Raci, Sound of Metal
Lakeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah
Best documentary
Collective
Crip Camp
The Mole Agent
My Octopus Teacher – should win
Time – will probably win
Best international feature film
Another Round – will probably win
Better Days
Collective
The Man Who Sold His Skin
Quo Vadis, Aida? – should win
Best sound
Greyhound
Mank
News of the World
Sound of Metal – will probably win | should win
Soul
Best production design
The Father
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Mank – will probably win
News of the World
Tenet – should win
Best cinematography
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
News of the World
Nomadland – will probably win | should win
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Best actor in a leading role
Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal – should win
Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom – will probably win
Anthony Hopkins, The Father
Gary Oldman, Mank
Steven Yeun, Minari
Best actress in a leading role
Viola Davis, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Andra Day, The United States vs Billie Holiday
Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman – should win
Frances McDormand, Nomadland – will probably win
Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman
Best director
Thomas Vinterberg, Another Round
Emerald Fennell, Promising Young Woman
David Fincher, Mank
Lee Isaac Chung, Minari
Chloé Zhao, Nomadland – will probably win | should win
Best picture
The Father
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
Minari
Nomadland – will probably win | should win
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7
