Composer Hildur Guðnadóttir is already in the history books after winning the Oscar for Best Original Score for ‘Joker’ (2019). Now she could break a new record with two real award contenders.
Todd Field’s “Tár,” a fictional psychological drama about one of the greatest living composers and conductors, has won critical acclaim after debuting at numerous fall film festivals. One of the most loved elements was the amazing music featured in the film. However, in a movie about a composer, many casual moviegoers have wondered what was original or premeditated (unless you’re an expert in musical compositions). Focus Features has confirmed Variety exclusively that Guðnadóttir’s film score meets Oscar requirements and will be submitted for consideration.
Final eligibility decisions are ultimately made by the Music Branch of the Academy. For a score to be eligible, a film must feature music written specifically for the film by the composer who submitted it. Some pre-existing music is licensed by a competing film, but must include a minimum of 60% original music to be eligible.
In addition to Guðnadóttir’s original score, “Tár” is submitted in the following categories: Best Picture (Todd Field, Scott Lambert, Alexandra Milchan), Director, Actress (Cate Blanchett), Supporting Actress (Nina Hoss, Noémie Merlant, Sophie Kauer), original screenplay (Field), cinematography (Florian Hoffmeister), editing (Monika Willi), production design (Marco Bittner Rosser, Ernestine Hipper), costume design (Bina Daigeler) and makeup/hair and sound (qualifications to be determined ).
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Hildur Gudnadottir in the press room for the 92nd Academy Awards
In addition to “Tár”, Guðnadóttir also composed Sarah Polley’s “Women Talking” for MGM/United Artists Releasing, which also received critical acclaim. If nominated for both entries, Guðnadóttir would be the first woman to receive two nominations for Original Score in the same year, a category that has often doubled for her male counterparts, most recently for Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (“Mank” and “Soul” in 2020). Coincidentally, the Oscar-winning duo are in contention once again with an acclaimed chord pair of Luca Guadgnino’s “Bones & All” and Sam Mendes’ “Empire of Light.”
Just returning to the ceremony with one of his eligible films will put Guðnadóttir on a shortlist. She would be the third woman to receive more than one nomination for original score, after Angela Morley (1974’s “The Little Prince” and 1977’s “The Slipper and the Rose”) and Rachel Portman (winner of 1996’s “Emma” and nominated for “The Cider House Rules” from 1999 and “Chocolate” from 2000). Portman is the most nominated woman with three nominations and Guðnadóttir has a chance to tie that record.
Guðnadóttir was recently honored at the Toronto Film Festival with the Variety artisan prize for his work. “Tár” will screen at the New York Film Festival before beginning its limited theatrical run on October 7.