The Favourite’s producers from Element Films were wide-eyed and jet-lagged, while Minding The Gap documentary director Bing Liu has been bed-ridden with the flu. Yet all that was put to one side when they learned of their Oscar nominations on Tuesday morning (22).
Willem Dafoe said he was “over the moon” for his recognition as Vincent van Gogh in At Eternity’s Gate, and ROMA star Yalitza Aparicio thanked the Academy for helping ”those of us who feel invisible be seen.”
The nominees for the 91st Academy Award share their reactions below. The Oscars will be handed out on February 24.
Picture
“We are honored by the Academy’s recognition for BlacKkKlansman and the work Spike, Adam Driver, Terence Blanchard, Barry Alexander Brown and our entire cast and crew gave in bringing Ron Stallworth’s life to screen. More than 40 years later, this story of courage in the face of hatred is sadly still relevant today. Because of this, we knew from the very beginning that there was only one person who could helm this film: Spike Lee. It’s hard to believe this is the first time Spike’s brilliant work has been nominated for directing and best picture, but at this moment in our history, it seems fitting the spotlight is on Spike Lee.”
Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, Raymond Mansfield, Jordan Peele – BlacKkKlansman
“A heartfelt thank you to the Academy for recognizing a film that has been a true collaboration from a team with a specific vision and determination to honor Freddie Mercury and Queen. I’m extraordinarily proud of all of the nominations and the entire Bohemian Rhapsody team. It has taken nearly a decade to bring this project to the screen, so to see the world celebrate this film is incredibly thrilling.”
Graham King – Bohemian Rhapsody
“It is the honor of a lifetime for The Favourite to be nominated in the Best Picture category and to share this with fellow nominees Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday and Yorgos Lanthimos. None of this could have been achieved without the unwavering support of Film 4, Waypoint Entertainment and Fox Searchlight. After 20 years in the making, it is wonderful to see Yorgos’s unique filmmaking gain such monumental recognition.”
Ceci Dempsey – The Favourite
“We are in LA and jet lagged, so we were wide awake and ready to watch the nominations at whatever ungodly hour it was. It’s incredible to get this recognition – maybe because the film has been so challenging to pull together over such a long time it’s all the sweeter. Huge congratulations to all the nominees, and we are especially delighted that Yorgos got the nod for director – more than with most movies, it’s all down to him. We are dying to get back to Dublin to celebrate with our gang at Element who have all been such brilliant fellow travellers on the journey. And of course, huge gratitude to Fox Searchlight, Film4 and Waypoint.”
Ed Guiney, producer, Andrew Lowe, executive producer, Element Pictures – The Favourite
“We are beyond grateful to the Academy for this overwhelming honor. The Green Book story began with a concert tour in the pre-civil-rights-era 1960s that allowed an unexpected friendship to grow between these two very different individuals. Their extraordinary trip inspired us all to take this journey of a lifetime. We’re further indebted to the Academy for recognizing the transcendent performances of our partners Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali. We extend our deep gratitude to our partners Participant Media, Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures for allowing us to make this dream come true.”
Jim Burke, Charles Wessler, Brian Hayes Currie, Peter Farrelly, Nick Vallelonga – Green Book
“Thank you to the Academy for recognizing ROMA across these categories. Human experience is one in the same, and it’s so gratifying that a black and white film about life in Mexico is being celebrated around the world. We are living a great moment in cinema where diversity is embraced by audiences. This kind of visibility pushes our industry forward and creates more opportunity for new voices and perspectives to emerge. It is a testament of how late we’re arriving to this moment, in which stories of the invisible among us – the domestic workers and indigenous women – are put at the center of our narratives. I share this with my cast, crew, producers, and most importantly, with my family and Mexico.”
Alfonso Cuarón – ROMA
“Thank you to The Academy for recognizing ROMA, a project that was personal to not only Alfonso, but our entire cast and crew. I am incredibly honored to have been part of such an amazing production team alongside Alfonso Cuarón and Nicolás Celis. We poured our hearts into making this movie, and the fact that it is resonating with people around the world is beyond gratifying. I’m so thrilled to share this moment with Yalitza, Marina and our entire team.”
Gabriela Rodriguez – ROMA
“Everyone who worked on this film truly risked putting themselves out there – in the hope that in doing so people will connect and feel something deep and personal – the way films have made me feel since I was a kid. When I got this opportunity I knew I had to risk it all because I may never get another chance – so to be here today in a place where people who have seen the film are talking about how it makes them feel, something deep – that simple human thing – that we need each other – and the Academy to recognize that this morning – I just am so grateful.”
Bradley Cooper, director, producer, writer, actor – A Star Is Born
“My sincere thanks to the Academy for recognizing our incredible cast and crew, who worked so tirelessly on this movie that spans five decades. I’m just thrilled, flabbergasted and excited!”
Adam McKay, producer, director, writer – Vice
Directing
“It is an incredible honor to be included amid this group of filmmakers, and I’m so grateful to the Academy. Sharing this very personal film with the world over the last year has been an unforgettable journey. I couldn’t have done it without my producers Tanya Seghatchian and Ewa Puszczyńska, my luminous star Joanna Kulig, as well the support of Amazon Studios, which brought this film to the US. And a special congratulations to Łukasz Żal, whose brilliant lighting brought the film to life.”
Pawel Pawlikowski, nominated for best director and best foreign language film – Cold War
“I would like to thank The Academy for honoring The Favourite so generously today. Having felt a bit like an outsider looking in, I am truly humbled about this morning’s nominations. They are a meaningful tribute to every person involved in the making of The Favourite – my talented collaborators and sublime cast, led by Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone.”
Yorgos Lanthimos, director and producer – The Favourite
Actress
“From the very first casting call to this morning, my ROMA journey has been extraordinary. As a daughter of a domestic worker and an indigenous woman myself, I am proud this movie will help those of us who feel invisible be seen. I am eternally grateful to the Academy for recognizing ROMA and am honored to be part of Alfonso’s vision. Congratulations to Alfonso, the entire cast and crew, and my dear friend Marina De Tavira. I am so humbled and honored. Thank You.”
Yalitza Aparicio – ROMA
“Everything to do with this movie has been a total joy. Bjorn Runge is a great director! Jonathan Pryce is an inspired partner. I’m so proud to be in a little film that has such great resonance with so many people. I’m especially proud to have shared the creation of this character with my beloved daughter Annie. So grateful!”
Glenn Close – The Wife
Actor
“I’m over the moon with this nomination. Playing Vincent Van Gogh in Julian Schnabel’s At Eternity’s Gate was a gift. The making was so transforming and my working with Julian was so complete and close that sometimes it felt like we were the same person. I share this honor with him. I’m so proud of this movie and this recognition means the film will have greater visibility and be seen by more people, which is a VERY gratifying reward.
Willem Dafoe – At Eternity’s Gate
Supporting actress
Working on The Favourite alongside my brilliant friends Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz and the whole cast was nothing short of incredible. I was grateful every day and am honored by this nomination. Yorgos created a palace for us all to play in. I am forever indebted to him and the whole team that brought this insane vision to life. Thank you to Fox Searchlight for their invaluable support and thank you to the Academy for recognizing our work.”
Emma Stone – The Favourite
“Thank you to The Academy for recognizing The Favourite in so many categories. I’m immensely proud to be part of it and to be nominated in the company of such talented women. Congratulations to my incredible fellow actors Emma and Olivia, our brilliant director Yorgos, and to everyone who participated in the making of this extraordinary film. Thank you to Fox Searchlight for their unwavering support and for having the guts to make a film with three complex female protagonists.”
Rachel Weisz – The Favourite
“Wow, wow, wow. The word I keep coming back to is proud. Proud of our cast and crew with all the work we put into this amazing, yet still timely story. I’m grateful to Barry Jenkins for creating this beautiful role out of the great James Baldwin’s words. Collaborating with Barry has been a highlight of my career and this recognition is icing on the cake! And thank you to The Academy!”
Regina King – If Beale Street Could Talk
“I’m so honored with this nomination, thank you to the Academy for this breathtaking recognition. Forever grateful to Afonso Cuarón for trusting me with this beautiful character and thank you to Netflix for making this movie visible throughout the world. I share this with Yalitza and with all of the incredible team that worked on ROMA.”
Marina De Tavira – ROMA
Supporting actor
“It’s surreal to say the least. I’m humbled and thankful to the Academy and feel very privileged to represent this film in a setting such as this; especially with Spike Lee, Barry Brown, and Terence Blanchard. Three people whose past collaborations have been an inspiration in my life. I’m so grateful to the crew, the cast, especially my friend John David Washington, and Spike for giving me the opportunity to be a part of a film that is equal parts joy and primal scream. Getting to work with people you admire and respect is a miracle in and of itself, but when it connects on a larger scale like this it’s hard to articulate.”
Adam Driver – BlacKkKlansman
“For a boy growing up in Swaziland, the smallest country in the southern hemisphere, becoming an actor seemed an impossible dream, let alone being nominated for an Oscar. Am literally levitating!!”
Richard E. Grant – Can You Ever Forgive Me?
“I’d like to thank the Academy for recognizing my work along with the extraordinary performances of my fellow nominees. I was so fortunate to have collaborators in Viggo Mortensen and Peter Farrelly and I’d like to congratulate them on their nominations. Through Dr. Donald Shirley, I had the gift of navigating circumstances as a profound, gifted, complicated genius. A man who had experiences and a combination of qualities that I had yet to see on film. I’m tremendously grateful for the lessons I learned through both his struggles and successes. I sincerely hope Dr. Shirley’s music and his unique contribution to our culture continues to be discovered, shared and appreciated.”
Mahershala Ali – Green Book
Original screenplay
“How can I describe the joy and excitement of being nominated by the Academy Awards for my first screenplay? Impossible! When I wake up tomorrow my first thought will be that I must have been dreaming!”
Deborah Davis, co-writer – The Favourite
“As a small boy in a country town in Australia, whose first movie experience was “Herbie goes Bananas,” I never dreamed I would be the recipient of an Oscar nomination. It’s a thrill to be in a category with so many amazing writers. My thanks to my friend and collaborator Yorgos Lanthimos for his brilliance.”
Tony McNamara, co-writer – The Favourite
Adapted screenplay
“It’s such an honor to be in the company of peers and legends I admire. And even more, it fills my heart to have James Baldwin’s name and work associated with the Academy I’m proud to be a member of. On behalf of the Beale Street family, my endless thanks to the Academy for once again acknowledging me, my friends and James Baldwin.”
Barry Jenkins, writer, director – If Beale Street Could Talk
Editing
“I am profoundly honored by this nomination on behalf of Bohemian Rhapsody. Working on this film has been a tremendous experience in paying proper tribute to the legend of Queen. I am thrilled the film has become such a phenomenon and grateful to the Academy for recognizing our work.”
John Ottman – Bohemian Rhapsody
Documentary feature
“We are grateful for this recognition and humbled to be in the company of these extraordinary filmmakers during such an incredible year for documentary filmmaking. Thank you to our crew who took on the great responsibility of committing to Alex Honnold throughout his journey, and who trained tirelessly and meticulously for years chasing Alex up and down the mountain to make this film come to life. We would also like to thank Alex for trusting us to tell his story and share it with audiences. He has taught us all many lessons but most notably he has inspired a hope that you can achieve your dreams, no matter how great, through dedication, passion and hard work. We hope that this acknowledgement leads to more people sharing in Alex’s inspiration.”
E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, co-directors – Free Solo
“I’m so excited be nominated in what has been such a great year for documentary as a form. I’m really thrilled for the communities around this film, and could not be more proud of our team who believed. The attention it’s bringing to Hale County Alabama and the contemporary South, centralizing the Black experience in documentary, and documentary film as place to imagine, all are being celebrated! I spoke to Quincy [Bryant, one of the participants in the film] this morning and he’s just amazed, he never imagined people seeing folks in the Black Belt outside of music and sports and violence. I’m looking forward to talking to Daniel [Collins, another participant] too later.”
RaMell Ross, director – Hale County This Morning, This Evening
“I’ve been bedridden with a feverish flu the past couple of days, so waking up to this news this morning in the middle of my delirium made it all seem that much more unreal. I’m so thankful for the loving and caring people I’ve gotten the chance to work with and know over the years and over this past year especially. Honored to be amongst a crop of amazing films and filmmakers; thanks to the Academy for getting even more eyes on Minding The Gap!”
Bing Liu, director – Minding The Gap
“We were excited to be the ones to give Justice Ginsburg the good news that RBG has been nominated for Best Documentary. We reached her on the phone at her home in Washington this morning. She congratulated us and said the nomination was ‘eminently well-deserved.’ She sounded strong and cheerful and said she is writing opinions and continuing to stay on top of work.”
Betsy West, Julie Cohen, directors – RBG
Foreign language
“I’m truly proud and happy for this amazing reward. This is a huge victory for every one of us who worked so hard on this life changing adventure. I’m proud of my crew, my beautiful soldiers. I’m proud of my husband, Khaled Mouzanar, producer and music composer of this homemade film, who gave and sacrificed a lot in order for this story to see the light. I’m proud of my actors, each one of them. They are all a miracle of resilience and perseverance no matter how hard their life was and still is. All of them non-actors, all of them trying to survive in a world that is not even allowing them to exist. I truly believe in the power of cinema to achieve change and this recognition is shedding more light on their situation. I truly hope that this will allow a change for the better in their lives. This film was meant to be their plea. Thanks to this recognition they are less invisible today and their voices are resonating a little louder. I’m proud for my country and thinking about each Lebanese person cheering for us today, happy that their country is recognized for something other than political conflicts and turmoil.”
Nadine Labaki – Capernaum
“This is a film with a very timely story about how Art is still the best weapon we have against political extremism. It is something my actors and I believe in deeply. We are thrilled that more people are going to get to see Never Look Away because of this Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. The nomination and win for The Lives Of Others certainly helped us get the film shown around the globe. And I am very excited that Caleb Deschanel is nominated for his photography on Never Look Away. It was through his films Black Stallion, The Natural and The Right Stuff that I came to understand that cinematography is one of the great art forms. And his work on the upcoming The Lion King shows what an incredible master he is on a technical level, too. It was a thrill and a great joy to work him.”
Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck – Never Look Away
“I want to thank The Academy for the nomination of Shoplifters in the Foreign Language Film category. The other 4 nominated titles in the category are absolutely amazing and strong, and I’m proud that Shoplifters has been selected among them. I never expected that this film about the meaning of family would resonate from Cannes to Los Angeles – and so I’m very grateful. Thank you very much.”
Hirokazu Kore-eda –Shoplifters
Animation
“We made a film about the most mysterious and important superpower of all – family. I’m very grateful to the Academy for honoring the large and talented team behind Incredibles 2 with a nomination. And to anyone contemplating making a movie sequel, I strongly recommend waiting 14 years between installments.”
Brad Bird, writer-director – Incredibles 2
“Thanks to the Academy for recognizing Isle Of Dogs with a nomination for Best Animated Feature. Our very large crew of talented actors, artisans, animators and their various four-legged friends are very excited for this honor. And congratulations to Alexandre Desplat as well on his nomination for his wonderful score!”
Jeremy Dawson, producer – Isle Of Dogs
“I have just received word that Mirai has been nominated for the 91st Academy Awards. I am really surprised and also deeply honored. This film is about the everyday life and growth of a young child, depicted in a matter-of-fact way. The fact that it has been chosen with the other films about heroes is very meaningful and significant to me. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for selecting this film.”
Mamoru Hosoda – Mirai
“To be recognized by the Academy in such an incredible year for animated films is deeply humbling. We are honored to represent the wonderful artists and technicians at Walt Disney Animation Studios whose artistry and passion brought this story of a friendship put to the test to life.”
Rich Moore, Phil Johnston, directors, Clark Spencer, producer – Ralph Breaks The Internet
“Although we flew under the radar for years, we always felt that Into The Spider-Verse could be something special. We never dreamed, though, that it would have the effect it has had on the diverse, passionate audience it has attracted. While making our movie we tried to push through every boundary we could that dictates what a popular movie can look like — all in the service of a story about finding common ground between different people from different worlds. To be nominated for an Academy Award is a huge honor, and means our movie will continue to reach more people around the world and inspire work that pushes far beyond us. We thank the Academy, our talented colleagues, and the vocal, dedicated audiences who advocated for us and carried us here.”
Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, directors – Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
Cinematography
“Collaborating with director Paweł Pawlikowski on Cold War has been an incredible experience and honor. I am greatly humbled by this recognition from the Academy. Thank you to Amazon Studios for supporting this film and thank you to the audiences around the world that have seen and embraced Cold War.”
Lukasz Zal – Cold War
“I am really floored and humbled by the nomination – I thought nobody had seen the movie!? So all the better and unexpected. I am lucky to be in such wonderful company with so many great movies this year. But I am especially excited that ‘Never Look Away’ has gotten a foreign language nomination, so more people will want to see Florian’s powerful film.”
Caleb Deschanel – Never Look Away
Score
“Today is a humbling moment in time for me. To be recognized by your peers with an Oscar nomination and to share that blessing with family and friends is moving beyond belief. I’m so grateful to my brother Spike Lee for having faith and giving me the chance to expand and grow as an artist. BlacKkKlansman has been the result of 30 years of collaboration between Spike, Barry Alexander Brown, and myself and it’s a true honor to share this moment with them. I’m also very thankful for the team of folks who stand behind me, lift me up and have been there through it all – Robin Burgess, Marvin Morris, Howard Drossin Greg Hayes, Brad Ritchie and my band the E Collective –Oscar Seaton, Charles Altura, David Ginyard and Fabian Almazan. Thanks to the Academy for this honor. Humbled Truly.”
Terence Blanchard – BlacKkKlansman
“It is an overwhelming privilege to be nominated by the Academy for my work on Black Panther. I share this honor with the Griots from Senegal and West Africa to the brilliant musicians at Abbey Road in London who performed on the score. My deepest thanks go to Ryan Coogler, a true visionary and great friend, who created one of the most unique and important films of our time. He encouraged me to venture into uncharted musical territories and to combine diverse worlds of sound into a score that pushed my creative limits.”
Ludwig Göransson – Black Panther
“I am so thrilled to be nominated for the score of If Beale Street Could Talk. It is also a true honor to be nominated along with Barry Jenkins and Regina King. I am filled with so much gratitude to Barry and to our whole Beale Street team. It has been such a profound experience to work on this film and to be a part of bringing James Baldwin’s novel to the screen. I am truly overwhelmed by this and can’t express enough how humbled I am by this nomination!”
Nicholas Britell – If Beale Street Could Talk
“I am speechless, grateful and honored that the music branch has chosen me for yet another fantastic collaboration with Wes Anderson. Wes is a wonderful artist and composing for his films always challenges me, taking me far from any expectations. Congratulations to Fox Searchlight and to my fellow nominees.”
Alexandre Desplat – Isle Of Dogs
“Sailing on Emily Blunt’s kite strings, we are over the moon to be recognized by our peers and to represent the musical side of Mary Poppins Returns. We were thrilled to create an original movie musical with the brilliant Rob Marshall, and we have had the most glorious three years on this project, writing something all new that was also a love letter to The Sherman Brothers and Irwin Kostal, whose work on the first film served as the musical education of our dreams. The entire experience has been like a dream and we are extremely grateful.”
Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman – Mary Poppins Returns
Production design
“It’s like the night before Christmas when I was a kid. I feel crazy because of my friend Carol. She died too young and I’m thinking of her. I’m thinking of my son and being a single mom and all the struggle. And thinking of Ryan who changed everything about my life. He changed everything for me. My great crew who HEARD what I was trying to do. I feel everything … I’m crying my eyes out now.”
Hannah Beachler – Black Panther
“Being invited to the Oscar table is an absolute honour. We are thrilled for Yorgos and the entire team that The Favourite has resonated strongly with audiences and been recognised by AMPAS voters. We cannot wait to celebrate with our fellow nominees!”
Fiona Crombie, Alice Felton – The Favourite
“We are thrilled to be part of Rob Marshall’s magical “Mary Poppins Returns.” From 1930’s London streets to animated music halls to Topsy turvy upside down rooms, it was the most challenging film that we have ever done. It is such an honor to be recognized by the Academy.”
John Myhre, Gordon Sim – Mary Poppins Returns
Costume design
“All I can think of to say is I’m extremely grateful and proud and huge thanks to all my talented team on both films without whom I would not be in this position right now.”
Sandy Powell – The Favourite, Mary Poppins Returns
Sound editing
“It’s an honor to be nominated by our peers in the Academy for First Man and to be in such good company with the other nominees. We owe this nomination to our exceptional sound editorial team and to Damien Chazelle whose brilliant film provided the opportunity for sound to help create the immersive and perilous world of Neil Armstrong’s journey to the moon and back.”
Ai-Ling Lee, Mildred Iatrou Morgan – First Man
Executives
“I am so happy for Mamoru Hosoda, Yuichiro Saito, the entire team at Studio Chizu, and everyone at GKIDS for taking us to the Oscars six years in a row. Go see Mirai!”
Eric Beckman, GKIDS founder and CEO.
“Hulu is honored to work with groundbreaking documentary filmmakers like Bing Liu to bring their creative vision to life. The moment we saw Minding The Gap we knew we wanted to share his deeply personal and culturally relevant story about young men navigating race, class, and the transition into adulthood, and we are proud that it has resonated with so many people. Congratulations to Bing, Diane Quon, and all those involved, and thank you to the Academy for recognizing their powerful film.”
Hulu CEO Randy Freer
“Thank you to the Academy for recognizing all those who took creative leaps this past year. We are honored to receive our first Best Picture nomination and so many other firsts this morning. Congratulations to all of the nominees for pushing boundaries and making films that inspire us all.”
Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer
No comments yet