It's A Big Year For Queer Cinema at the 2023 Oscars
With the 95th Academy Awards airing this Sunday, it's the perfect time to look at all the wonderful queer films that are up for nominations.
And the nominees are...
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Everything Everywhere All at Onceis up for 11 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and four best acting cater. The film stars legendary Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh alongside Ke Huy Quan and Stephanie Hsu, who plays a queer woman.
Tár
Todd Fields' Társtars Cate Blanchett Lydia Tár, a famed lesbian conductor with more than a few skeletons in her closet. The film is up for six nominations, including Best Actress (for Blanchett's performance), Best Picture, and Best Director.
The Whale
From Darren Aronofsky, The Whale stars Brendan Fraser in his triumphant return to the spotlight. Fraser plays Charlie, a gay professor in the throes of a mental health crisis. the film, which won Fraser much acclaim, has been nominated for three Oscars: Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
Women Talking
From director Sarah Polley, Women Talking is a powerful story of abuse set at a Mennonite Colony in Bolivia. The film, which includes a trans character in a key role, earned Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. It stars Claire Foy, Rooney Mara, and Frances McDormand, among others.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is the follow-up to Knives Out. Daniel Craig returns to star as Detective Benoit Blanc, only now he has been confirmed by director Rian Johnson to be gay (and married to Hugh Grant!). Glass Onion earned a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Close
Close is a Belgian coming-of-age drama that studies the effects of homophobia on the lives of two teen boys. After winning a slew of awards in Europe, Close was nominated for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. If it wins, it will be the first Belgian film to earn this award.
Night Ride
Night Ride, a Norwegian short film from director Eirik Tveiten, centers the experience of a trans woman whose life takes an unexpected turn during a tram ride. Night Ride is the only queer short to be nominated at this year's oscars, and it could be the first LGBTQ+ short to win since the 1990s.
