‘Anora’ wins best picture at the 2025 Oscars
Anora, Sean Baker’s screwball dramedy about a whirlwind marriage between an enterprising sex worker and an impish spoiled son of a Russian oligarch, took home the award for best picture at Sunday night’s Oscars, capping off a winning evening in which the director was also honored for best original screenplay, best editing, and best director.
The win doesn’t come as a huge surprise. Since the film’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival last May — where it won the top prize, the Palme D’or — it’s racked up major accolades throughout awards season, including the top feature film award from the Producers Guild of America. (A PGA award win historically suggests a high probability of winning the best picture Oscar because the two organizations’ voting memberships overlap. In the last 10 years, seven films have won both.)
Baker’s also steadily built a name for himself telling idiosyncratic stories about characters living on the margins in movies like Tangerine and The Florida Project. With Anora, he moved from cinephile and film critics’ darling into a broader space, thanks in large part to buzzy word-of-mouth and a dynamic ensemble led by Oscar winner Mikey Madison.
“I want to thank the Academy for recognizing a truly independent film,” Baker said during his final acceptance speech of the night. “This film was made on the blood, sweat and tears of incredible indie artists, and – um – long live independent film!”
Auburn fires coach Hugh Freeze following 12th loss in his last 15 SEC games
The 56-year-old Freeze failed to fix Auburn’s offensive issues in three years on the Plains, scoring 24 or fewer points in 17 of his 22 league games. He also ended up on the wrong end of too many close matchups, including twice this season thanks partly to questionable calls.
In a ‘disheartening’ era, the nation’s former top mining regulator speaks out
Joe Pizarchik, who led the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement from 2009 to 2017, says Alabama’s move in the wake of a fatal 2024 home explosion increases risks to residents living atop “gassy” coal mines.
‘It’s like feeling the arms of your creator just wrapped around you’: a visit to a special healing Shabbat
Members of Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham gathered recently for their traditional Friday Shabbat service. But this particular service was different, as could be seen by all the people dressed in their finest pink.
Space Command is coming to Huntsville. What might that mean for first-time homebuyers
While Huntsville has been a more affordable market than other growing cities, what’s it been like for those looking for their first home?
Colorado says relocation of Space Command to Alabama is ‘punishment’ for mail-in voting
The litigation announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser asks a federal judge to block the move as unconstitutional.
Breaking down Alabama’s CHOOSE Act
It’s been a year since Alabama legislators passed the CHOOSE Act allowing families to apply for state funds to use towards homeschool expenses and tuition for participating private schools. The Alabama Daily News’ education reporter Trisha Powell Crain has been diving into how the funds are being used. WBHM’s Andrew Gelderman sat down with her to talk about what we’re seeing so far.
