Hollywood’s largest night time of the 12 months was its normal pageant of glitz, humor, emotional actors and a few overly-long speeches.
Here are among the standout moments from the 97th Academy Awards:
New host
First time host Conan O’Brien saved it largely mild, together with his normal mix of foolish and sharp.
His pre-taped opening noticed a employee hammering on his dressing room door, urging the redhead to rush to the stage.
Inside the dressing room, O’Brien was rising from Demi Moore’s recumbent physique, in a riff on satirical body-horror flick “The Substance,” during which an getting older Moore takes an off-market drug to attempt to recapture her youth, with dire penalties.
After inspecting himself within the mirror — and seemingly being happy with what he noticed — the comedian plunged again into Moore’s physique in an obvious seek for misplaced objects.
“That was weird,” he stated after taking the stage. “Yeah, awkward. I’m missing some car keys.”
Gaza
After previous years when host Jimmy Kimmel took photographs at President Donald Trump, the 2025 Oscars had appeared set to be a largely politics-free night, till “No Other Land” received the documentary characteristic award.
The movie, made by Palestinians and Israelis, follows younger Palestinian Basel Adra, recording the gradual destruction of his homeland, as Israeli troopers demolish houses and evict these residing there.
The poignant story contrasts his struggles with the freedoms loved by Jewish Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham.
Accepting the award, Abraham criticized the “atrocious destruction of Gaza and its people” and referred to as for the instant launch of Israeli hostages nonetheless being held after the October 7, 2023 assault by Hamas fighters.
He referred to as for Israel and the Palestinians to stroll “a different path, a political solution without ethnic supremacy, with national rights for both of our people.”
“And I have to say, as I am here, the foreign policy in this country is helping to block this path.”
Gene Hackman
Morgan Freeman led tributes to Gene Hackman, whose physique was found in his New Mexico house, together with that of his spouse and their pet canine, final week in what police stated had been circumstances “suspicious enough” to analyze.
“This week, our community lost a giant and I lost a dear friend,” Freeman stated of the 95-year-old Oscar winner.
“Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer and a man whose gifts elevated everyone’s work. He received two Oscars, but more importantly, he won the hearts of film lovers all over the world.”
Doing it for the children
Picking up his award for greatest supporting actor, Kieran Culkin stated he had nearly turned down “A Real Pain” as a result of he did not need to be away from his kids to movie it overseas.
But if it was laborious to depart his two youngsters, he revealed that — if he will get his means — there could be much more quickly.
Culkin stated his spouse had beforehand agreed to a 3rd baby after he received an earlier award.
“Turns out, she said that because she didn’t think I was going to win,” he stated. “After the show, we’re walking through a parking lot. She’s holding the Emmy… and she goes, ‘Oh, God, I did say that. I guess I owe you a third kid.'”
But, he instructed her he really wished 4.
“She stated, ‘I will provide you with 4 once you win an Oscar.’ I held my hand out, she shook it.
“And I have not brought it up once. Until just now,” he added.
Shaken, and stirred
The ceremony paid tribute to Hollywood’s best-loved spy, James Bond, simply days after long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson relinquished inventive management to Amazon.
One-time Bond woman Halle Berry launched the part, which kicked off with a succession of clips of actors who’ve performed the super-spy, from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig.
That was adopted by a montage of the type of high-octane stunts that characterize maybe essentially the most sturdy franchise in cinema historical past.
Musical stars Lisa, Doja Cat and Raye took turns to belt out theme songs from films passed by — “Live and Let Die,” “Diamonds are Forever” and “Skyfall.”
© 2025 AFP