After being postponed from February, the Academy Awards are back this year with the presentation ceremony to be held in-person at Los Angeles' Union Station and the Dolby Theatre on Sunday. People in Thailand will get a chance to see the live broadcast next Monday morning.
The nominations this year are quite diverse, which is probably a good sign given choices in years past have sparked backlash for not recognising actors of colour and women.
Prior to the award ceremony, let's have a look at some Oscar hopefuls. A number of Oscar-nominated films are not available here in Thailand, however, here's a list of what you can watch in the country.
Minari. Photo: imdb.com
Minari
Where To Watch: In Cinemas
Minari has earned six Oscar nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay and Best Original Score. Directed by Korean American Lee Isaac Chung, the film tells the story of father and mother, Jacob (Steven Yeun) and Monica (Han Yeri), through the eyes of their seven-year-old son David (Alan Kim). The family dynamics change when Soonja (Youn Yuh-jung) arrives in rural Arkansas to help with child care.
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. photos © Netflix
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Where to watch: Netflix
Chadwick Boseman earned a posthumous best actor nomination for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, a 1920s musical drama directed by George C Wolfe. The film has earned a total of five nominations including Best Actress (Viola Davis), Best Actor (Chadwick Boseman), Best Costume Design, Best Make-up and Hairstyling and Best Production Design.
Mank. Netflix Thailand
Mank
Where to watch: Netflix
Starring Gary Oldman and Amanda Seyfried, Mank follows social critic and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J Mankiewicz as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane. The film leads the field with 10 Oscar nods including Best Picture, Best Actor (Gary Oldman), Best Supporting Actress (Amanda Seyfried), Best Director (David Fincher), to name only a few.
Promising Young Woman. Promising Young Woman
Promising Young Woman
Where to watch: In cinemas Thursday
The film by triple Oscar-nominated director Emerald Fennell has earned five nominations including Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing. It tells the story of a young woman, traumatised by a tragic event in her past, who is seeking vengeance against those who crossed her path.
The Trial Of The Chicago 7. Photo: Niko Tavernise/NETFLIX © 2020
The Trial Of The Chicago 7
Where to watch: Netflix
Starring Eddie Redmayne, Alex Sharp and Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial Of The Chicago 7 has earned five Oscar nods but not Best Director for Aaron Sorkin. His courtroom drama however took the top prize earlier this month at a virtual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, making history for Netflix. The SAG Awards are considered an Oscar harbinger.
