With filming resuming and cinemas reopening across the United States, candidates are jostling for Oscar nominations this year, where films like
Dune
, Belfast,
West Side Story
and
The Power of the Dog
are expected to feature prominently in the selection revealed on Tuesday.
Many blockbusters, whose theatrical release has often been postponed because of the pandemic, will compete for the most envied nominations in American cinema with independent films or released on video-on-demand platforms.
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Dune
and
The Power of the Dog
favorites
"Last year, we had very independent Oscars ... This year, it's the return of great cinema, great studio films
," said a member of the Academy of Oscars, who requested the anonymity.
“The race is very open
,” adds Pete Hammond, editorial writer for the specialized site
Deadline
.
Dune
, a high-performance sci-fi film that has been released both in theaters and on the internet, should easily earn a nomination in the categories of best feature film and best director.
It should also be retained in a myriad of technical categories (photography, special effects, sound).
“In fact, I think it could be the film with the most nominations
,” notes the member of the Academy.
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Even if it did not ignite the box office,
Belfast,
a film by Kenneth Brannagh inspired by his youth in the Northern Irish violence of the 1960s, was much liked by Hollywood among those who were looking for stories about the family and solidarity.
"It resonates right now, in a time when people want to connect
," says Pete Hammond.
Deemed superfluous by some critics and largely shunned by the public, the remake of
West Side Story
by Steven Spielberg was still well received by its technical prowess and its choreography.
However, it will not be able to equal the record of the original which remains the most awarded musical film in the history of the Oscars.
'It's a risky bet but I think it will be in the nominations'
for best feature film, says Mr Hammond
The Power of the Dog
, a dark and psychological western with a thriller, broadcast on Netflix, appears to be another great favorite.
Its director, New Zealander
Jane Campion
, has a good chance of making history as the first woman to land two Best Director Oscar nominations, 28 years after
The Piano Lesson
.
On the blockbuster side, Spider-Man and James Bond in the running
Some ultra-commercial blockbusters of which Hollywood has the secret could also carve out a place of choice in the nominations on Tuesday.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
and the latest James Bond,
Dying Can Wait
, were the only ones to draw crowds to cinemas comparable to pre-Covid-19 crowds.
“We reward the big screen experience.
And
Spider-Man
almost saved the cinema single-handedly last year
,” said the Oscar voter interviewed by AFP.
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The popularity of the films in the running will be an important element to take into account for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences which awards these prizes.
Because the 2021 edition of the Oscars had awarded low-budget films that the general public had often barely heard of.
"I guarantee you the big shots at the Academy are praying for
Spider-Man
to be in the Best Feature nominations because they really need him for the show
," says Pete Hammond.
For his part, the Oscar voter would be
“surprised”
if his peers selected a superhero film in this flagship category, despite the precedent set by
Black Panther
a few years ago.
"I'm not sure the members of the Academy are ready,"
he said.
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The Williams Method
, about the childhood of champions Serena and Venus Williams with Will Smith as the coach father, as well as
Don't Look Up: Cosmic Denial
with Leonardo DiCaprio and Meryl Streep, also have their chances.
On the actor side, Will Smith is once again one of the favorites, as is Benedict Cumberbatch for his role as a repressed cowboy in
The Power of the Dog
.
The competition is even fiercer among actresses, between Nicole Kidman (
Being the Ricardos
), Jessica Chastain (
In the Eyes of Tammy Faye
) and Lady Gaga (
House of Gucci
).
Olivia Colman (
The Lost Daughter
) and Penelope Cruz (
Madres Paralelas
) could also be among the five candidates in the running for this 94th edition.
The awards ceremony is scheduled for Hollywood on March 27.
