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This year’s Oscar race is one of the most exciting, controversial, and Jewishly rich in recent memory.
I invite you to join me for a discussion of the Oscar-nominated films as we share our opinions about what films we think will win – and what films we hope will win. A free Zoom program, “Oscar Predictions and Predilections” will take place on Thursday, February 27th at 7 pm. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
The Boulder Jewish Film Festival, which returns October 26 – November 2 in 2025, opened with “A Real Pain,” the most intensely Jewish film honored by the Academy. Writer/director/star Jesse Eisenberg earned a much-deserved best original screenplay nomination for his affecting story of odd-couple cousins on a Holocaust heritage tour of Poland. Nominated for best supporting actor for his darkly funny performance as Eisenberg’s ne’er do well cousin, Kieran Culkin is the safest bet in any category, having won the Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Award.
Two Jewish actors playing Jewish characters are front-runners for best actor. Will Adrien Brody win his second award for playing a Holocaust survivor in “The Brutalist,” with 10 nominations, or will Timothée Chalamet take home the Oscar for his astounding portrayal of Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown,” nominated in eight categories?
“Anora,” the least boring movie imaginable, stars Jewish actors Mikey Madison, nominated for best actress, and Mark Eydelshteyn. With six nominations and a Critics Choice win for best picture, this Cannes Palme d’Or winner is “The Brutalist’s” only real competition for best picture – unless “A Complete Unknown” scores an upset win. Interestingly, both “Anora” and “The Brutalist” were made independently for less than $10 million.
Arguably the most relevant Jewish film of the year, “September 5” is a suspenseful historical drama about Palestinian terrorists who slaughter Israelis and take Israeli hostages – set more than 50 years ago. The film details the horrors of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre from the perspective of the ABC sports team covering the terrorist attack. Nominated alongside “A Real Pain,” “The Brutalist,” and “Anora” in the best original screenplay category, “September 5” is now playing in theaters and available to rent on Amazon Prime.
The only other best original screenplay nominee is “The Substance,” an upscale (but gory) horror film with a message about fame, age and beauty starring Demi Moore, considered a shoo-in for best actress.
I look forward to discussing 2024’s unusually excellent crop of films with you on February 27.
The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will be broadcast on Sunday, March 2, from 5 to 8 pm Mountain Time.
