The Oscars 2021 ended up being a very diverse night in terms of who won awards, but the socially distanced ceremony was, for the most part, a snooze in terms of production.
Nomadland, the story of van dwellers in America, won the best picture Oscar and two other Academy Awards on a triumphant night for women.
In a major upset, Britain's Anthony Hopkins won the best actor trophy for his role as a man battling dementia in The Father. The Oscar had been widely expected to go to the late Chadwick Boseman for his final film, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
China native Chloe Zhao was named best director for Searchlight Pictures' Nomadland, making her the first Asian woman and only the second woman ever to take home the trophy. Kathryn Bigelow was the first in 2010.
Zhao thanked the nomadic community for “teaching us the power of resilience and hope and reminding us what true kindness looks like.”
Frances McDormand, one of the few professionals in the film in which several people played versions of themselves, won her third Oscar.
Daniel Kaluuya, who won best supporting actor for his galvanizing portrayal of slain Black Panthers leader Fred Hampton in Shaka King's Judas and the Black Messiah, delivered an impassioned acceptance speech near the beginning of the night.
His speech also featured one of the event's most memorable one-liners. Kaluuya, acknowledging his parents, said: “My mom, my dad — they had sex, it’s amazing! I’m here! I’m so happy to be alive.”
Youn Yuh-jung, the veteran Korean actress who drew critical raves for her performance as a wise but cantankerous grandmother in the tender family drama Minari, treated viewers to similarly enjoyable remarks.
“I don’t believe in competition, how can I win over Glenn Close?” Youn said. “Tonight, I have just a little bit luck, I think, maybe. I’m luckier than you. And also maybe it’s American hospitality for the Korean actor. I’m not sure. But anyway, thank you so much.”
Youn accepted the award from Brad Pitt, an executive producer on Minari and last year's best-supporting actor winner for Quentin Tarantino‘s Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood.
“Mr. Brad Pitt, finally,” said Youn. “Nice to meet you.”
The full Oscars 2021 winner's list
Best Picture
Nomadland
Promising Young Woman
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Minari
Sound of Metal
The Father
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
Actress in a Leading Role
Frances McDormand, Nomadland
Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman
Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman
Viola Davis, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Andra Day, The United States vs. Billie Holiday
Actor in a Leading Role
Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Anthony Hopkins, The Father
Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal
Gary Oldman, Mank
Steven Yeun, Minari
Actress in a Supporting Role
Olivia Colman, The Father
Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Youn Yuh-jung, Minari
Amanda Seyfried, Mank
Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy
Actor in a Supporting Role
Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah
Leslie Odom Jr., One Night in Miami
Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7
Paul Raci, Sound of Metal
Lakeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah
Directing
Chloe Zhao, Nomadland
Thomas Vinterberg, Another Round
Emerald Fennell, Promising Young Woman
David Fincher, Mank
Lee Isaac Chung, Minari
Costume Design
Emma
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Mank
Mulan
Pinocchio
Music (Original Score)
Da 5 Bloods
Mank
Minari
News of the World
Soul
Editing
The Father
Nomadland
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Sound
Greyhound
Mank
News of the World
Soul
Sound of Metal
Music (Original Song)
“Husavik” from Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
“Fight For You” from Judas and the Black Messiah
“lo Sì (Seen)” from The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se)
“Speak Now” from One Night in Miami
“Hear My Voice” from The Trial of the Chicago 7
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Nomadland
The Father
One Night in Miami
The White Tiger
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Writing (Original Screenplay)
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Judas and the Black Messiah
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
Minari
Animated Short Film
Burrow
Genius Loci
If Anything Happens I Love You
Opera
Yes-People
Live-Action Short Film
Feeling Through
The Letter Room
The Present
Two Distant Strangers
White Eye
Documentary Feature
Collective
Crip Camp
The Mole Agent
My Octopus Teacher
Time
Documentary Short Subject
Colette
A Concerto Is a Conversation
Do Not Split
Hunger Ward
A Love Song for Latasha
Animated Feature Film
Onward
Over the Moon
A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon
Soul
Wolfwalkers
International Feature Film
Denmark, Another Round
Hong Kong, Better Days
Romania, Collective
Tunisia, The Man Who Sold His Skin
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Quo Vadis, Aida?
Production Design
The Father
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Mank
News of the World
Tenet
Cinematography
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
News of the World
Nomadland
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Visual Effects
Love and Monsters
The Midnight Sky
Mulan
The One and Only Ivan
Tenet
Makeup and Hairstyling
Emma
Hillbilly Elegy
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Mank
Pinocchio
