Hollywood’s Biggest Night: Oscars Shine Amid Controversy

LOS ANGELES, California — The 2025 Oscars kicked off Sunday at 4 p.m. Pacific Time (1 a.m. Monday, in France) amid a blend of excitement and controversy surrounding the film “Emilia Pérez” and its star, Karla Sofia Gascon.

As celebrities walked the red carpet, Rachel Ziegler and Gal Gadot took the stage to present the award for Best Visual Effects, teasing an upcoming collaboration on a new adaptation of Snow White.

Nearly 29 months after the original’s release, the Dune saga continues, pushing the boundaries of Frank Herbert‘s sci-fi universe, which has historically challenged filmmakers. “Dune” was once viewed as an insurmountable Everest for Hollywood, notably due to a previous adaptation that was widely considered a failure.

Conan O'Brien, who humorously addressed the audience, remarked, “I know you’ll find it hard to believe, but there are jokes that even I don’t have the courage to tell.” He prompted the crowd to respond energetically to scripted humor, signaling the evening’s lighthearted intentions.

In a noteworthy segment, firefighters shared anecdotes, including a quip about Timothée Chalamet learning to sing for his role as Bob Dylan. The punchline noted that Chalamet’s impressive singing almost caused him to lose the role.

Highlighting the power of storytelling, the documentary “No Other Land,” co-directed by Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham, chronicles the challenges faced by residents in a Palestinian village against encroaching military developments. Adra emphasized the film’s mission: “We made this documentary together to stop the injustice against Palestinians.”n

Abraham echoed these sentiments, stating, “We are stronger together. We call for the release of hostages and equal treatment for both Palestinians and Israelis.” Their work revisits themes from a previous 2013 documentary about the village of Bilin and the construction of the separation wall.

Amidst the awards ceremony, presenters Selena Gomez and Samuel L. Jackson took the stage to award the prizes for Best Documentary Short and Best Documentary Feature, maintaining the evening’s narrative focus on impactful storytelling.

The Oscars continue to serve as a platform for not only celebrating cinematic achievements but also addressing pressing social issues, as evidenced by the mix of glamour and advocacy seen throughout the night. A close watch on the unfolding events reveals both joyous moments and moments fraught with tension, as the film community grapples with its role in reflecting societal challenges.