Oscars 2024: protests, Oppenheimer and Ken

Considered to be the most prestigious award in Hollywood, one of our writers gives us a rundown of what happened at this year's Oscars ceremony

Jess Bradbury
25th March 2024
Image source: IMDb
A predictable but fun ceremony, Ryan Gosling bringing all the Kenergy, and Messi the dog making an appearance all made for an entertaining Oscars this year as the best of Hollywood gathered for the prestigious awards.

The ceremony was delayed by several minutes after demonstrators protesting Israel’s war in Gaza walked down Sunset Boulevard, chanting “ceasefire now”. Some stars within the ceremony also raised awareness for the current conflict, with stars such as Billie Eilish, her brother Finneas O’Connell, Mark Ruffalo, and Ramy Youssef sporting red pins in support of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. The pins were from the Artists4Ceasefire movement, a group from the entertainment industry who signed an open letter urging President Joe Biden to call for a ceasefire. Youssef stated that “we’re all calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza…we really want lasting justice and peace for the Palestinian people”. The war was also noted from the stage itself, as British director Jonathan Glazer accepted the award for best international film for The Zone of Interest. The film, which follows the domestic life of a Nazi officer and his family, is adapted from Martin Amis’ novel of the same name. Glazer, who is Jewish, said that he rejects his "Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people."

Jimmy Kimmel returned to host the ceremony for the fourth time, nodding to the strikes which brought Holywood to a halt in his monologue and celebrating those who pushed for a deal. Whilst the majority of the host’s jokes and roasts safely produced some chuckles from the audience, not all of his jokes landed. One jab at Robert Downey Jr and his history of substance abuse drew blank stares from the crowd, with the actor himself telling Kimmel to “wrap it up.” 

“We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb and for better or worse we’re now living in Oppenheimer’s world now. So I’d like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere.”

Predictably, Oppenheimer led the night and picked up seven awards. Both Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy picked up their first Oscar for best director and leading actor, respectively. Murphy was considered the favourite for the majority of this year’s awards season, after picking up accolades from the BAFTAs, SAG and Golden Globes for his role. He is the third Irish actor to win the award, following Daniel Day-Lewis (who holds Irish citizenship) and Barry Fitzgerald, who won in 1945. Accepting the award, Murphy stated “we made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb and for better or worse we’re now living in Oppenheimer’s world now. So I’d like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere.” The film also picked up the best picture award and Robert Downey Jr won best supporting actor for his role as Lewis Strauss.

Elsewhere, Da’Vine Joy Randolph picked up the best supporting actress award for her critically acclaimed role in The Holdovers.  The actress thanked her mother for steering her into a career as an actress, as well as one of her former teachers who told her to “forge [her] own path” after being in a class where she was the only black student. Emma Stone also picked up her second best actress win for her role as Bella Baxter in Poor Things, with her first win being for her role in La La Land. Stone, who was visibly overwhelmed accepting the award, addressed fellow best actress nominee Lily Gladstone on stage, saying that she was in awe of her and that it had been an honour to go through the awards season together. Gladstone would have been the first Native American woman to win the award if she had triumphed over Stone, though it is likely that we will see the actress nominated again in the future for her immense talent. 

The highlight of the night may have been snatched by Ryan Gosling, who performed his hit 'I’m Just Ken' from Barbie. Accompanied by 65 other Kens, the actor first began his performance by serenading Margot Robbie from the audience before taking to a bright pink stage. Joined by Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash and musician Mark Ronson, the actor moved from the stage to the crowd again to get Barbie director Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, America Ferrara and former co-star Emma Stone to join in with the song. The performance, which reimagined Marilyn Monroe’s iconic 'Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend' from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, truly brought the Kenergy that was needed for the Oscars this year.

AUTHOR: Jess Bradbury
English lit student with a very good talent for rambling. Twitter/IG @jessbradburyx

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