Five things to watch for at the Oscars

Here are five things to follow at the ceremony.

1. The place of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The prospect of millionaires in formalwear exchanging praise and trophies as conflict rages in Ukraine has party organizers worried. But how to approach the subject of the Russian invasion without risking awkwardness?

Comedian Amy Schumer, one of the presenters of the ceremony, had proposed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, himself an actor by profession, speak during the Oscars.

However, during a press conference, the producer of the evening, Will Packer, preferred not to speak on the subject, while another presenter, Wanda Sykes, quipped, saying: Isn’t he a little busy right now?

Despite everything, the show will approach the situation in Ukraine in a natural and delicatepromised Wanda Sykes.

Whatever the case, the winners and laureates of the Oscars should denounce the Russian invasion in large numbers by coming on stage to receive their statuette.

2. New public prizes

The Oscars production team unveiled new prizes this year, awarded by the public via the Internet: fansand another rewarding a memorable moment in cinema, with the aim of seducing an audience that crumbles from year to year.

It’s not officially an Oscar, but critics of this innovation are outraged that true prizes are forced to give up space and airtime to Twitter Oscars.

It’s not like we’re going to randomly pick a Twitter user to give Meryl Streep an Oscar! That’s not how it worksdefended Will Packer.

At times, the show felt like we were just between us, just Hollywood, and no one else was invited. This year we want to be a little more openhe pleaded.

Details regarding the presentation of these public awards have not been disclosed.

3. Celebration of Godfather

The gala evening will not only pay tribute to the nominated films and artists; it will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of a cinema classic, The Godfather (The Godfather).

We have a few surprises around it, warned Will Packer, also hinting that the 60th anniversary of James Bond would be on the program. The first adaptation of the adventures of the secret agent to the cinema, james bond 007 vs. Dr. No (Dr.No), dates from 1962.

The young Billie Eilish is already in the ranks to interpret No Time To Diecomposed for the last James Bond and in the running for the Oscar for best song.

4. The Oscars won by women

The director of The Power of the Dog (The power of the dog), Jane Campion, recently declared that he was time to claim victory and to shatter the glass ceiling that hangs over women in Hollywood.

The Oscars could prove him right on Sunday night. The New Zealander has a good chance of becoming the third woman to receive the trophy for best director, just a year after Chloé Zhao.

Even more surprisingly, its director of photography on The Power of the Dog, Ari Wegner is only the second woman to have been nominated for the Oscars in her professional category since their creation in 1929.

5. A double for the character of Anita from West Side Story

At first glance, the Joker, Batman’s nemesis, Don Corleone (from Godfather) and Anita (from West Side Story) do not have much in common.

However, if actress Ariana DeBose wins Sunday for her character Anita in the category of best supporting actress, it will be one of the rare times that two different artists will have received an Oscar for the interpretation of a one and the same character.

Will Ariana DeBose in turn be able to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Rita Moreno, who won an Oscar for the same role in 1961?

Robert De Niro won his first Oscar playing in The Godfather II (The Godfather: Part II) a young version of the mobster embodied by Marlon Brando, also an Oscar winner. For his part, Joaquin Phoenix succeeded Heath Ledger in the Joker’s striped suit and on the Oscars stage.