In addition to McDormand and Washington, others in the running for both picture and acting Oscar noms this year include Ben Affleck (“The Last Duel” and “The Tender Bar”), Mahershala Ali (“Swan Song”), Halle Berry (“Bruised”), Jessica Chastain (“The Eyes of Tammy Faye”), Matt Damon (“The Last Duel” and “Stillwater”), Adam Driver (“Annette,” “The Last Duel” and “House of Gucci”) and, most likely of all, Will Smith (“King Richard”). Bradley Cooper and Clint Eastwood have both done it twice, the former with “American Sniper” (2014) and “A Star is Born” (2018) and the latter with two best picture winners, “Unforgiven” (1991) and “Million Dollar Baby” (2004). Warren Beatty achieved the feat of receiving acting and producing nominations in the same year four times in his career, for “Bonnie and Clyde” (1968), “Heaven Can Wait” (1978), “Reds” (1981) and “Bugsy” (1991). In addition, no actress who has played Lady Macbeth’s role in any major film, television or stage production has been nominated (or submitted) for supporting categories. There were rumors and chatter among social media and pundits that McDormand, who is fresh off her third and fourth Oscar wins for “Nomadland” in best actress and best picture, could make a switch to the supporting category, but she’s confirmed and listed for lead actress. Her “Macbeth” co-star, Denzel Washington, is also in the running for lead actor, as well as directing and producing the upcoming drama “A Journal for Jordan” from Sony Pictures. If nominated for actress and picture, not only will she be the first woman to do it twice, she would be the first person to do it consecutively. Along with her husband, Joel Coen, and Robert Graf, McDormand is serving as a producer once again, putting herself in play to achieve a historic back-to-back feat.
The studio that brought Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight” to a best picture win and made Yuh-Jung Youn the second Asian woman to win an acting Oscar last year with “Minari” has another potentially historic event on the awards horizon.Īt last year’s 93rd Oscar ceremony, Frances McDormand became the first woman to be nominated for acting and producing in the same year (Barbra Streisand and Oprah Winfrey have received nominations in acting and picture but in different years). With A24’s awards website launching, their entire roster is listed for industry guilds and voters to consider this awards season. For news, updates and screenings go to: cuspthefilm.A24 and Apple Original Films play double duty on the William Shakespeare adaptation of “ The Tragedy of Macbeth” from Joel Coen. Co-directors Parker Hill and Isabel Bethencourt join us for a conversation on the happenstance that brought them into these young women’s life, the sparse economic and educational opportunities available to Brittney, Aaloni, and Autumn, and the specter of violence that shadows too many of their relationships.
Though the girls’ experiences are completely unique to their upbringing, CUSP is also a strikingly universal coming-of-age tale - and true-to-life, at turns funny, tragic, complicated, and stirring. Shot in vérité style, CUSP captures authentic moments of female friendship while examining what it means to confront the dark realities of female adolescence. During a road trip across America, documenting snapshots of carefree adolescent summers, Hill and Bethencourt are inspired to film the trio, following them to bonfire parties, fast-food outings, and bedroom hangouts where discussions around agency, opportunity, sex, and consent unfold with candor. Brittney, Aaloni, and Autumn, three spirited teenage girls living in a Texas military town, meet and befriend photographers and debut filmmakers Parker Hill and Isabel Bethencourt in a chance encounter one evening.