91st Oscars awards diverse collection of art and artists

by Kathy Fang, Managing Editor

From “Green Book” to “Black Panther,” Olivia Coleman to Hannah Beachler and Alfonso Cuarón to Spike Lee, the 91st annual Academy Awards recognized a wide array of artists and films last night at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, leaving many viewers conflicted about the results.

Peter Farrelly’s highly debated and controversial film “Green Book,” a comedy that takes on themes of racism, swept last night’s most coveted and unusually uncertain Best Film award. Actors Rami Malek and Olivia Coleman taking the two Best Acting awards for “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “The Favourite,” respectively, and Alfonso Cuarón, who directed and filmed the Netflix movie “Roma,” took home two awards for directing and cinematography as well as one for foreign language film.

Other notable wins of the night include Best Adapted Screenplay for Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansmen;” Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali’s work in “Green Book;” Best Supporting Actress for Regina King’s work in “If Beale Street Could Talk” and Best Production Design for Hannah Beachler and her work in “Black Panther,” marking the first African American to be nominated for a production Oscar and win. Together with Ruth Carter, who won Best Costume and Hairstyling for her work in “Black Panther,” Beachler and Carter made history as the first African American women to win a non-acting Oscar in over thirty years.

Last night’s awards ceremony also marked the first Oscars since 1989 without a host after controversies and accusations of homophobia surrounding comedian Kevin Hart’s past jokes and his refusal to apologize, which then led to Hart’s decision to step down from the host position.

Although most acceptance speeches were composed of the traditional thank yous and messages of gratitude, Spike Lee urged viewers and audience members to political action for the upcoming 2020 presidential election. Lee’s speech was followed this morning with a backlash from President Donald J. Trump, who posted a Tweet accusing Lee of a “racist hit on your President.”

On the red carpet, performer Billy Porter’s black gown, designed by Christian Siriano, challenged traditional dress codes and dazzled reporters and social media alike.

Here is a complete list of last night’s winners:

Best Picture – “Green Book”
Best Director – Alfonso Cuarón, “Roma”
Best Actress – Olivia Coleman, “The Favourite”
Best Actor – Rami Malek, “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Best Supporting Actress – Regina King, “If Beale Street Could Talk”
Best Supporting Actor – Mahershala Ali, “Green Book”
Best Cinematography – Alfonso Cuarón, “Roma”
Best Original Screenplay – “Green Book”
Best Adapted Screenplay – “BlacKkKlansmen”
Best Animated Feature – “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”
Best Foreign Language Film – “Roma”
Best Visual Effects – Paul Lambert, Ian Hunter, Tristan Myles and J.D. Schwalm, “First Man”
Best Film Editing – John Ottman, “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Best Production Design – Hannah Beachler and Jay Hart, “Black Panther”
Best Original Score – Ludwig Göransson, “Black Panther”
Best Original Song – “Shallow,” from “A Star Is Born”
Best Sound Editing – John Warhurst and Nina Hartstone, “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Best Sound Mixing – Paul Massey, Tim Cavagin and John Casali, “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Best Documentary Feature – “Free Solo”
Best Documentary Short – “Period. End of Sentence.”
Best Animated Short – “Bao”
Best Live Action Short – “Skin”
Best Makeup and Hairstyling – Greg Cannom, Kate Biscoe and Patricia Dehaney, “Vice”
Best Costume Design – Ruth Carter, “Black Panther”