Netflix eyes change of fortunes at Academy Awards 2021
Netflix made history by garnering the most nominations of any studio, with 24, in the 92nd Academy Awards earlier this year, however the streaming giant managed to win only two Oscars – Best Documentary Feature for the Obamas’ production “American Factory” and Best Supporting Actress Award for Laura Dern for “Marriage Story”. Netflix’s critically-acclaimed and hugely-promoted film “The Irishman”, despite receiving nominations in 10 different categories, failed to win an Oscar. “The Two Popes” and “Klaus” also didn’t make the cut.
The studio will be expecting a change of fortunes with several strong contenders at next year’s event on 25 April 2021. Let’s take a look at which films are likely to make the cut this time.
Film: Da 5 Bloods
Release Date: 12 June 2020
Directed by Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing, BlacKkKlansman), “Da 5 Bloods” follows a group of four ageing US Army soldiers who return to Vietnam in search of the remains of their fallen squad leader, as well as the treasure they had buried while serving in the Vietnam War.
The film stars Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Jonathan Majors and the late Chadwick Boseman.
The New York Times, in its review, called the film “an anguished, funny, violent argument with and about American history, with an unforgettable performance from Delroy Lindo at its heart.”
The Guardian rated the drama a full five stars terming it “a shocking, incendiary blend of searing satire and action-movie drama”.
Delroy Lindo’s performance was unanimously hailed by critics and is likely to fetch the 68-year-old a nomination in the “Best Supporting Actor” category at the 93rd Academy Awards.
The film is also a strong contender for “Best Picture” and possibly a “Best Director” nomination for Spike Lee and “Best Cinematography” nod for Newton Thomas Sigel.
Film: The Trial of The Chicago 7
Release Date: 16 October 2020
The second film of the year to draw attention to Vietnam War, “The Trial of The Chicago 7” is a courtroom drama revolving around the group Chicago Seven – who were charged by the US federal government with conspiracy, inciting riots, and other charges related to anti-Vietnam War protests that took place in Chicago during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
Directed by Aaron Sorkin, the writer of The Social Network (2010) and Moneyball (2011), the film features an ensemble cast including Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Sacha Baron Cohen, Daniel Flaherty, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Keaton, Frank Langella, John Carroll Lynch, Eddie Redmayne, Noah Robbins, Mark Rylance, Alex Sharp and Jeremy Strong.
Critics praised the film’s screenplay and performances of its cast, singling out Sacha Baron Cohen and Eddie Redmayne for having the meatiest roles.
Screen Rant called the film “an entertaining and compelling courtroom drama, bolstered by Sorkin’s script and strong performances”, and Variety wrote: “The Trial of the Chicago 7 is the rare drama about the 1960s that’s powerful and authentic and moving enough to feel as if it were taking place today”.
The drama is likely to gain Oscar nominations under the categories “Best Original Screenplay” and “Best Director” for Aaron Sorkin.
Film: Mank
Release Date: 04 December 2020
“Mank” is expected to fetch Netflix the most Academy Award nominations in 2021, akin to what “The Irishman” did for the studio earlier this year.
The critically-acclaimed David Fincher-directorial follows American screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz and his battles with legendary director Orson Welles over screenplay credit for Citizen Kane (1941), regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.
Gary Oldman plays the titular role, supported by Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins, Tom Pelphrey, Arliss Howard, Sam Troughton, Tuppence Middleton and Charles Dance.
Apart from “Best Picture” nomination, Oldman is likely to get a nod for “Best Actor”, Amanda Seyfried for “Best Supporting Actress”, David Fincher for “Best Director” and his father, late Jack Fincher, for “Best Original Screenplay”.
The drama is also expected to fetch nominations for “Best Cinematography” for Erik Messerschmidt, “Best Production Design” for Donald Graham Burt, “Best Costume Design” for Trish Summerville, “Best Film Editing” for Kirk Baxter and also in the sound mixing and editing categories.
Film: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Release Date: 18 December 2020
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” focusses on a fateful recording session of African-American professional blues singer Ma Rainey in 1920s Chicago.
The drama, directed by George Costello Wolfe (Nights in Rodanthe), stars Viola Davis (How to Get Away with Murder), Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) in his final film appearance, Glynn Turman (The Wire), Colman Domingo (Fear the Walking Dead), Michael Potts (The Wire) and Taylour Paige (Hit the Floor).
Viola Davis is expected to bag a “Best Actress” nomination for her portrayal of Ma Rainey and the late Chadwick Boseman is likely to get a “Best Actor” nod.
The film is also a favourite for “Best Picture”, “Best Adapted Screenplay” and “Best Costume Design” for Ann Roth.
Film: The Midnight Sky
Release Date: 23 December 2020
Directed by George Clooney and starring himself along with Felicity Jones, David Oyelowo, Tiffany Boone, Demián Bichir, Kyle Chandler, and Caoilinn Springall – “The Midnight Sky” is a science-fiction thriller that follows a lonely scientist in the Arctic (played by Clooney) who races to stop a group of astronauts from returning home to a mysterious global catastrophe.
This film is an adaptation of a 2016 novel titled “Good Morning, Midnight” by Lily Brooks-Dalton.
Being only the third person to be nominated in six different Academy Award categories over the years, Clooney may get a nod for “Best Director” and “Best Actor” nominations for his new film.
“The Midnight Sky” could also be a contender for “Best Adapted Screenplay”.
Film: Pieces of a Woman
Release Date: 07 January 2021
Directed by Hungarian filmmaker Kornel Mundruczo (White God) based on a screenplay by Kata Wéber (Jupiter’s Moon), “Pieces of a Woman” stars Vanessa Kirby (Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Hobbs & Shaw) and Shia LaBeouf (American Honey) as a Boston couple whose lives change irrevocably during a home birth at the hands of a flustered midwife, who faces charges of criminal negligence.
The drama, executive-produced by Martin Scorsese, premiered at the Venice International Film Festival on 4 September 2020 and fetched Kirby the “Best Actress” award.
Kirby is expected to get her first Academy Award nomination in the “Best Actress” category in 2021.
The film may also fetch a “Best Director” nod for Mundruczo as well as “Best Picture”.
Film: The White Tiger
Release Date: 22 January 2021
“The White Tiger” is the film adaptation of the 2008 Man Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name by Indian author Arvind Adiga.
Starring Rajkummar Rao (Newton), debutant Adarsh Gourav and Priyanka Chopra (Baywatch), who is also the executive producer along with Ava DuVernay (Selma, Middle of Nowhere), the film is helmed by Ramin Bahrani (Chop Shop, 99 Homes) and produced by Mukul Deora.
The plot follows the journey of Balram Halwai, a tea-shop worker in a village, from his native place to Delhi to Bangalore, whilst examining issues of religion, caste, loyalty, corruption and poverty in India, and how Balram Halwai overcomes those difficulties to become very successful.
The film may be a contender for “Best Adapted Screenplay” at the 93rd Academy Awards.