“Anatomy of a Fall” director Justine Triet was watching television in Paris on Tuesday afternoon when she learned that her film “Anatomy of a Fall” — a sly, mysterious French drama about marriage — received five Oscar nominations. That includes Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Sandra Hüller), Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing.
“We were so, so stressed before the announcement,” Triet told TheWrap on a Zoom call from her producer’s office. “And then when we saw the nomination for the script, we were so happy, but then it kept continuing with the other nominations in other categories. I was crying.”
Triet is just the eighth woman ever nominated for Best Director. When we shared this fact with her, she responded, “What!? Somebody else told me that it’s very rare for women. I didn’t know this. Wow. This is crazy. I’m trying to enjoy every minute of this and it really means a lot, but that’s crazy.”
But three out of the 10 nominees for Best Picture were directed by woman (“Anatomy of a Fall,” “Barbie,” Past Lives”) and that is a record.
“I am a huge fan of Greta Gerwig, a huge fan, for what she’s doing as a director and as an actress,” Triet said. “And I was very impressed by Celine Song [the director of “Past Lives”]. I’m very proud to be with this gang in that category.”
One of the morning’s biggest surprises was America Ferrera’s Best Supporting Actress nod for “Barbie.” When TheWrap spoke with her, she was, understandably, elated.
“I grew up watching the Academy Awards and looking for proof that I could one day be there,” said Ferrera. “And I found that in, you know, any woman of color or a person outside of the dominant stereotype of movie star. So it really makes an incredible impact when people see people who reflect them in these cultural moments that are about celebrating value.
She added, “To be in that room representing millions of people who maybe feel like it’s more possible for them to to be valued and celebrated in our culture — it means everything to me.”
This year’s Oscar race was led by Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” with 13 nominations.
Read the full list of nominees here.
Here are more reactions from this year’s nominees.
BEST PICTURE
David Hinojosa, Christine Vachon, Pamela Koffler, Producers, “Past Lives”
“We are so honored that The Academy recognized Past Lives, the bold and original first film of Celine Song, an important new voice in filmmaking. This nomination validates the hard work of many crafts people and artists in New York, our home, and Seoul. We are grateful to our partners at A24 in their continued support of courageous filmmaking teams.”
BEST DIRECTOR
Martin Scorsese, “Killers of the Flower Moon”
“It’s deeply gratifying to receive this recognition from the Academy, for myself and for so many of my collaborators on Killers of the Flower Moon. It was a remarkable experience to make this picture, to work together with the Osage community to tell the story of a genuine American tragedy, hidden in the shadows of official culture for far too long. I only wish that Robbie Robertson had lived to see his work recognized—our many years of friendship and Robbie’s growing consciousness of his own Native heritage played a crucial role in my desire to get this film onscreen.”
BEST ACTRESS
Annette Bening, “Nyad”
“I’m thrilled and over the moon with excitement to be nominated for an Academy Award alongside my partner in the film, NYAD, Jodie Foster. Onward!!!!”
BEST ACTOR
Colman Domingo, “Rustin”
“To be amplified for my work for portraying this American Hero is everything to me. When my name is called, so is Bayard Rustin’s. What an extraordinary honor. My heart is bursting with joy.”
BEST ACTOR
Jeffrey Wright, “American Fiction”
“My thanks to The Academy for this recognition not only of my work, Cord’s, Sterling’s and Laura’s but the work of everyone who poured their talent into our film. We did this together. We loved making “American Fiction.” We thought it might be special. To be included among the other nominees this year is a beautiful acknowledgment of our efforts to make it so. And thank you to MRC, T-Street and Orion/Amazon/MGM for walking the walk with us, so that our film could be made, seen and touch others the way it touched us. ‘Let them love all of you.’”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Robert Downey Jr., “Oppenheimer“
“Waking up to all of these nominations for Christopher Nolan and his many talented collaborators is an absolute delight. It’s been the honor of a lifetime to be part of the cinematic masterpiece that is Oppenheimer, and it’s a privilege to be an Academy member nominated alongside such esteemed company.”
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Kaouther Ben Hania, director, “Four Daughters”
“Thank you so much to The Academy for this tremendous honor. Olfa and her daughters’ story resonated with me because it was so complex and fascinating but ultimately needed to be told, and it’s a privilege to share their story. To be recognized by the Academy for the second time, and especially by my documentary filmmaker colleagues, is truly incredible, and the entire team is so excited and so grateful.”
Nisha Pahuja, “To Kill a Tiger”
“I am beyond thrilled that To Kill a Tiger has been nominated for an Academy award. This is an extraordinary honour for the creative team behind this 8 year journey and it’s a testament to the tireless group of women working outside the normal ecosystem to ensure this story is seen and does what it needs to in the world. We’re here, at this moment because a farmer in India, his wife and their 13-year old daughter had the courage to demand her human rights. We are grateful to the National Film Board of Canada, our Executive Producers and everyone on the team for their support. It is our hope and intent that this film will encourage other survivors to seek justice and that men stand with us in our fight for gender equality.”
ANIMATED FEATURE
Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
“Coming in as new directors for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, we were entrusted with continuing to tell Miles’ story in our own style and worked diligently alongside the many artists and production crew to bring something truly unique and original to the Spider-Verse. We are elated for our work on this film to be acknowledged by the Academy and are thankful to our entire crew for going on this adventure with us.”
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE
Wim Wenders, “Perfect Days“
“It’s such a great honor for me to represent Japan in the Oscars, the country of my great cinematic master, Yasujiro Ozu. “Perfect Days” was carried by his spirit, so I couldn’t be happier to see it nominated.”
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Celine Song, “Past Lives”
“Thank you so much to the Academy for this tremendous recognition — it’s such an unbelievable honor. I am overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude. And for my first film…crazy. Some of the experience working on a debut film is secretly questioning if you belong, if people will support your vision. It has been equal parts scary and rewarding to make this film and release it into the world. It is with immense gratitude to those who championed my vision that I now get to be among these giants of screenwriting. Congratulations to my amazing producers – Christine, David and Pam – and A24 for nurturing this film and working tirelessly for it. And thank you to our incredible cast – Greta, Teo and John, our film would not exist without you. There’s an Eastern concept in our film called In-Yun, which is the miraculous connection and love we have with each other just by being in the same place at the same time. It’s the result of thousands of lives we’ve shared before this one. Our entire filmmaking team felt this deeply while making Past Lives. Today’s news makes me feel like many of our filmmaking peers felt the same way. Thank you.”
ORIGINAL SCORE
Robbie Robertson, “Killers of the Flower Moon” (from his final interview before his death in August 2023)
“I feel that the score is unexpected in many ways and authentic to the heart of the story. For me, it’s a kind of perfection to be able to go all the way around this big circle. Starting at Six Nations when music comes along in my life, when that button gets pushed that says, “This is the direction that you’re going to go in, it’s already laid out,” and then to my history with Martin Scorsese all the movies leading up to Killers of the Flower Moon. The fact that we’re getting to do a Western and a movie about Indians in our own way, you couldn’t have written this. We’re in awe ourselves that our brotherhood has outlasted everything. We’ve been there. We’ve been through it. I am so proud of both our friendship and our work. They have been a gift in my life.”
Jared Levine, Robertson’s longtime manager and close friend
“Robbie would have been thrilled to receive this acknowledgment. He felt that “Killers of the Flower Moon” was the pinnacle of his creative partnership with Marty. My only wish is that they could have shared this time, and recognition together.”
ORIGINAL SONG
Jon Batiste, “It Never Went Away” from “American Symphony”
“Thank you to the Academy for recognizing “It Never Went Away.” Making music is an act of survival. There was a stretch of time during which my wife Suleika was in the hospital and we weren’t sure she’d make it. This song began as a lullaby, so she could have a restful aura in the hospital room.
Congratulations to my co-writer, Dan Wilson, and thank you to Netflix, Mercury Studios, Higher Ground and our brilliant director, Matthew Heineman, for sharing our story with the world. We are grateful to be surrounded by love.”
Billie Eilish and Finneas, “What Was I Made For?” from “Barbie”
“We are so incredibly honored to receive a nomination for “What Was I Made For?” As lifelong fans of film, music in film and the Academy Awards, this means everything to us. We are so grateful to the Academy, its members, and to be recognized alongside so many songwriters that we respect and admire. Our deepest gratitude and thanks go out to the incomparable Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach for their genius vision and execution, the entire Barbie cast and crew, Lucky Chap Entertainment and the Warner Bros. Pictures team. Thank you to Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt for weaving our song into the fabric and heart of this film so well. And a special shout out to Margot Robbie for her incredible foresight as a producer and brilliant performance that resonated with us so profoundly when writing this song. We are truly honored. Thank you.”
Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, “I’m Just Ken” from “Barbie”
“We’re excited and grateful beyond words. This really is the highest honour to be recognized by our peers and heroes from the Academy. And in a year of so many extraordinary songs – including those from our incredible fellow Barbie contributors. It’s a testament to Greta Gerwig’s power to inspire and bring out the very best in everyone around her. Thank you so much.”
DOCUMENTARY SHORT
Sheila Nevins, director, “The ABCs of Book Banning”
“I am honored to have the support of the Academy for The ABCs of Book Banning, which focuses on an urgent issue that threatens our democracy. We are not only confronting book banning in the United States, we see book banning around the world, and it is part of the frightening under-belly of suppression and hate. Since the completion of the film, the number of books banned in the U.S. has tripled from 2,000 to 6,000 books. Access to truthful information is under threat. This not only affects one of us but all of us in all countries. Around our world up to forty percent of books are banned. This is where we are headed. And that’s why I am motivated that The ABCs of Book Banning in all languages will bring attention on a global scale. The nomination today makes a significant statement. It has the potential to empower those working for change. And we need action now.”
John Hoffman and Christine Turner, directors/producers, “The Barber of Little Rock“
“This amazing recognition from our filmmaking peers exceeds our wildest expectations. The real power of this beautiful nomination is the bright light it shines on Arlo Washington and the Little Rock community he’s dedicated his life to lifting up.”
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Matthew Libatique, “Maestro”
“This is an honor that will never get old. Thank you to all my fellow cinematographers in the Academy for bestowing this high honor. Thank you to the intrepid crew of Maestro and most of all thank you to Bradley Cooper for bringing me aboard this beautiful journey.”
VISUAL EFFECTS
VFX Supervisor Guy Williams, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”
“I am incredibly proud of the work our team at Wētā FX contributed to on Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3. It was an honour to play a part in bringing the final chapter of the Guardians’ story to life, and to have that work recognised by the Academy with a nomination is the cherry on top. In the words of Peter Quill himself, we hope it looked cool.”
Additional reporting by Andi Ortiz
