Photos by Sthanlee Mirador By Tim Park Talk this way The 97th Academy Awards last Sunday dazzled audiences with unforgettable moments, star-studded appearances, and enough wins for Sean Baker’s Anora to make everyone wish they were a loud mouthed Russian American 304 in New York City. Hosted by the ever-hilarious Conan O’Brien, the evening was a rollercoaster of emotions, surprises, and, of course, plenty of laughs. Here’s a quick recap of how the night went! Opening Act: A ‘Conan’ Surprise The night kicked off with Conan O’Brien delivering a monologue that had the audience in stitches. From playful jabs at the nominees to self-deprecating humor about his hosting gig, Conan set the tone for a night filled with wit and charm. One highlight was his joke about Karla Sofía Gascón’s Twitter mishap, quipping, “I guess even the Oscars can’t escape a good ol’ Twitter feud!” - All things considered I think he handled the situation with much grace! And the Oscar Goes To... The awards ceremony was nothing short of eventful. “Anora,” the modern Cinderella tale, swept the night, taking home five Oscars, including Best Picture. Director Sean Baker’s acceptance speech was a masterclass in humility and humor, thanking everyone from his high school drama teacher to his barista. Long Live Independent Cinema! Mikey Madison clinched Best Actress for her role in “Anora,” delivering a speech so heartfelt it nearly brought the house down. She joked, “I guess dreams really do come true... especially when you have a fairy godmother named Sean Baker!” In a move that had everyone talking, Adrien Brody won Best Actor for “The Brutalist.” His acceptance speech, the longest in Oscar history, was a journey in itself. At one point, attendees wondered if they’d need to order dinner to accompany it. Fashion:...... Read more on Full Issue!