Filmmaker Sean Baker’s “Anora” was the night’s big winner at the 97th Academy Awards, taking home five awards including best picture and best actress for star Mikey Madison.

Hosted for the first time by Conan O’Brien, the Oscars ceremony brought to a close an award season overshadowed by January’s Los Angeles wildfires that devastated the city, CNN reported.  

The show began with a special package of film clips that paid tribute to LA and ended with “We Love LA.” A chill-inducing performance by “Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo followed.

Organizers have long said the show would go on in the midst of the region’s recovery, though the annual nominees luncheon was cancelled and nomination deadlines were adjusted, CNN reported.

Anora won five leading awards: Best Picture, Best Actress for Madison, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Directing.

“The Brutalist” took three awards, including best actor for Adrien Brody. “Wicked” earned two wins, including best production design and best costume design.

Anora stars Mikey Madison as a New York City sex worker whose whirlwind Cinderella story after meeting and marrying Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn), the young son of a Russian billionaire family, takes a turn for the worse when Ivan's parents find out about the marriage.

Anora cast includes Armenian actors Vache Tovmasyan and Karen Karagulyan. After the Anora win, Vache Tovmasyan posted photos with Karagulyan holding the Oscar statuettes. 

The film has received several accolades, including the Palme d'Or. 

CNN published the full list of nominees and winners.

Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1213347

Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1213347