Mon Mar 03 03:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Upset Wins and Low Box Office Dominate 97th Academy Awards

**Los Angeles, CA** – The 97th Academy Awards delivered a night of surprises, with the low-budget indie film “Anora” taking home the coveted Best Picture award, defying box office expectations and marking a significant shift in the Academy’s preferences.

“Anora,” a comedy-drama about a sex worker’s whirlwind romance with a Russian oligarch’s son, garnered a total of five Oscars, including Best Director for Sean Baker, who also won for Original Screenplay and Editing, tying Walt Disney’s record of four wins in a single night. Mikey Madison, in an unexpected victory over frontrunner Demi Moore, won Best Actress for her portrayal of the film’s protagonist. The film’s success is notable given its paltry $15.7 million domestic box office gross, setting a new record for the lowest-earning Best Picture winner in history (excluding pandemic years).

Another indie film, “The Brutalist,” secured three Oscars. Adrien Brody won his second Best Actor award for his performance as a Holocaust survivor, while the film also received accolades for its cinematography and score.

Other notable wins included Zoe Saldaña (Best Supporting Actress for “Emilia Pérez”) and Kieran Culkin (Best Supporting Actor for “A Real Pain”). “Emilia Pérez,” despite receiving 13 nominations, ultimately failed to win Best Picture after several controversies involving its star. “Flow,” a Latvian animated film, won Best Animated Feature. The documentary “No Other Land,” focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, sparked a politically charged moment with its director’s call for action to stop the “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians.

Conan O’Brien hosted the ceremony with a light touch, making only oblique references to current political events. While several winners subtly addressed political issues in their acceptance speeches, the overall tone of the ceremony remained largely apolitical. The passing of Gene Hackman was also solemnly acknowledged.

The Academy’s embrace of smaller, independent films like “Anora” and “The Brutalist” reflects its ongoing efforts to diversify its voting membership and broaden its scope beyond mainstream blockbusters. The awards showcased a notable international presence, with at least nine winners hailing from countries other than the United States. The technical difficulties experienced by Hulu, which streamed the ceremony for the first time, marred the event for some viewers.

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