The Associated Press received its first Academy Award with the Ukraine war film 20 Days in Mariupol winning the Best Documentary category. 

“I wish to be able to exchange this for Russia never attacking Ukraine or occupying our cities, for not killing tens and thousands of my fellow Ukrainians. I wish for them to release all the hostages, all the soldiers who are protecting their land, and all the civilians in their jails,” says director Mstyslav Chernov. “I cannot change history. I cannot change the past. But we can ensure that history records are set straight, that the truth will prevail, and that those who’ve given their lives will never be forgotten.” 

To conclude, Chernov reminds all filmmakers and enthusiasts: “Cinema forms memories, and memories form history.”

Fans were amazed when Oppenheimer’s Emily Blunt and Barbie’s Ryan Gosling—two of the biggest stars of the biggest films in 2023—took to the stage and addressed the Barbenheimer rivalry. 

“I’m just happy that we can finally put this Barbenheimer rivalry aside,” Gosling says. “The way this award season has turned out, it wasn’t that much of a rivalry,” Blunt replies. 

“It’s true. You guys are doing very well, you know? Congratulations,” Gosling says. “But I think I kind of figured out why it’s called Barbenheimer and not Oppenarbie. You’re on the tail end because you rode Barbie’s coattails all summer.” Blunt responds: “Thanks for Kens-plaining that to me, alright.”

Gosling also performed I’m Just Ken, one of two songs from Barbie that earned a nomination for best original song (Billie Eilish’s What Was I Made For? was the other, and the winner of the award).

Read also: ‘Oppenheimer’: Was it worth the hype? Here’s our review of Christopher Nolan’s latest film

Jimmy Kimmel starts the introduction for the Best Costume category by talking about the 50th anniversary of “what used to be the craziest moment” in Oscar history. “At the 46th Academy Award ceremony in 1974, David Nivin was in the middle of introducing Elizabeth Taylor when a nude man ran across the stage,” he says. “Can you imagine if a nude man ran across the stage today?” 

John Cena then steps out in all his naked glory, presenting the award to the 2023 film Poor Things. He was originally supposed to run but backed out at the last minute. “I changed my mind. I don’t want to do the streaker bit anymore. You should feel ashamed right now for suggesting such a tasteless idea,” Cena says.

“It’s supposed to be funny,” Kimmel responds, but Cena answers with: “The male body is not a joke.” 

Presenting the award naked is also a statement; it’s in support of the Costume Designers Guild and their running campaign “You’re Naked Without Us”, which demands equal pay. Their industry is comprised almost entirely of women, and they are paid far less than those in the male-dominated field of production design.

Composer Scott George and the Osage Tribal Singers performed Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People) from Killers of the Flower Moon, nominated for the Best Original Song category. George is the first Osage songwriter to be nominated for an Academy Award. 

They dressed in traditional attire for the live rendition, with the crowd giving the impactful and heartfelt performance a standing ovation.

Jimmy Kimmel is no stranger to the Oscar stage, having been a host three times in the past. He kicked off his monologue by paying homage to Greta Gerwig and Barbie, Christopher Nolan and Oppenheimer, and Messi the dog who played Snoop in Anatomy of a Fall.

Apart from his quick digs at famous Hollywood actors, Kimmel concludes his opening with an ode to the 148-day writers’ strike in 2023: “This long and difficult work stoppage taught us that this very strange town of ours—as pretentious and superficial as it can be—is a union town. It’s not just a bunch of heavily Botoxed, Hailey Bieber-smoothie drinking, diabetes prescription abuse, gluten-sensitive nepo babies with perpetually shivering chihuahuas.”

“This is a coalition of strong, hardworking, mentally tough American labourers—women and men—who would 100 per cent, for sure, die if we even had to touch the handle of a shovel. But the reason we were able to make a deal was because of the people who rallied beside us. So, before we celebrate ourselves, let’s have a very well-deserved round of applause for the people who work behind the scenes,” he concludes.

Seasoned actors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito reunited at the Oscars stage 36 years after their 1988 film Twins. Their sole entrance garnered a standing ovation from the crowd. 

“Look at that; it’s so beautiful,” DeVito says. “Look at everybody. Look at that; it's very nice. Well, [Schwarzenegger] and I are presenting together, for a very obvious reason.” Schwarzenegger says, “We both tried to kill Batman.”

 “How did Batman beat you?” DeVito asks Schwarzenegger. “He used my one weakness against me.”

 “Heat?” asks DeVito. “Love,” says Schwarzenegger. “Oh. He threw me out a window. Really,” DeVito says back. “Batman, that son of a bit**.”

In a rare occurrence, The Godfather star Al Pacino shows us at the Oscars to present the last category win of the evening: the Best Picture award. The actor skipped announcing the nominees, jumping the gun and saying, “I see Oppenheimer.” 

Oscars 2024, compared to the other years, ended early due to Pacino’s small slip-up.

After a decade, Japanese animator and filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki wins his second Oscar. This 2024, the 83-year-old won in the Best Animated Film category with The Boy and the Heron, beating Disney’s Elemental and Spider-Man Across the Spider-verse.

“My wife tells me that I’m a very lucky man,” Miyazaki says. “And I think I’ve been lucky because I’ve been able to participate in the last era when we can make films with paper, pencil and film.”

Hollywood lights are dimmed to remember the luminaries who left a mark on the world of cinema. In an emotional performance by Andrea Bocelli, accompanied by his son Matteo, the Academy paid tribute to all workers in the film industry, from actors and filmmakers to administrative officials, who passed away in 2023. 

The duo performed a new version of Time To Say Goodbye, originally released in 1995 as Con te Partirò, which translates to “I will leave with you” in Italian.

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