‘One Battle After Another’ Wins Six Oscars Including Best Picture; Javier Bardem Calls for Free Palestine

‘One Battle After Another’ starring Leonardo DiCaprio had a big night at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, winning six Oscars including the top honor for Best Picture.

The film, loosely based on Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland, follows DiCaprio as Bob, a former revolutionary of the far-left group French 75, who is forced to return to action to save his daughter Willa, played by Chase Infiniti.

The movie, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, received a total of 13 nominations. Anderson won awards for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, while Sean Penn received Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film.

Earlier in the awards season, ‘One Battle After Another’ had won Best Picture - Comedy or Musical at the Golden Globe Awards, with Anderson also receiving the Best Director award, leading many to predict its strong performance at the Oscars.

The film competed against several other major releases, including ‘Bugonia’ by Yorgos Lanthimos, ‘Marty Supreme’ starring Timothee Chalamet and directed by Josh Safdie, ‘F1’ by Joseph Kosinski, ‘Hamnet’ directed by Chloe Zhao, ‘The Secret Agent’ by Kleber Mendonca Filho, ‘Sentimental Value’ by Joachim Trier, ‘Sinners’ by Ryan Coogler, ‘Train Dreams’ by Clint Bentley, and ‘Frankenstein’ directed by Guillermo del Toro.

Throughout the evening, ‘One Battle After Another’ was in a head-to-head contest with Sinners, with both films winning major awards.

What Message Did Bardem Share About Gaza?

Actor Javier Bardem, who presented the award for Best International Film with Priyanka Chopra, used the stage to highlight the conflict in Palestine.

Before announcing the nominees, Bardem said, "No to war and free Palestine," receiving a big round of applause from the audience.

Earlier on the red carpet at the Emmy Awards this season, Bardem expressed solidarity with Palestine to Variety, saying, "Here I am today, denouncing the genocide in Gaza. I am talking about the IAGS, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, who study thoroughly genocide and has declared it is a genocide. That's why we ask for a commercial and diplomatic blockade and also sanctions on Israel to stop the genocide. Free Palestine."

At the Oscars, Bardem also wore a pin with the word "Palestine" and held a placard reading, "No a la Guerra" (No to the war).

(With inputs from ANI)