Three Films, 14 Academy Award Nominations
Phantom Thread, Darkest Hour, and Victoria & Abdul get Oscar recognition.
When the Academy Awards nominations were announced, Focus Features racked up a remarkable 14 entries for three films––six for Phantom Thread, six for Darkest Hour, and two for Victoria & Abdul. In an embarrassment of riches, we find many of our favorite films and talent competing against each other for Best Picture, Actor in a Leading Role, Costume Design, and Makeup and Hairstyling. We congratulate everyone for their extraordinary work and wish them the best of luck come March 4th when the awards will be presented.
Official trailer for Phantom Thread
Phantom Thread | Six nominations
Phantom Thread, Paul Thomas Anderson’s exquisite drama of desire and design, was richly awarded with six nominations: Best Picture (JoAnne Sellar, Paul Thomas Anderson, Megan Ellison and Daniel Lupi); Actor in a Leading Role (Daniel Day-Lewis); Actress in a Supporting Role (Lesley Manville); Directing (Paul Thomas Anderson); Costume Design (Mark Bridges); and Original Score (Jonny Greenwood).
"Totally in shock," exclaim Phantom Thread's producers. "We are so proud to see our film be recognized by our fellow artists with six nominations and are excited for everyone involved on the film.” A grateful and gracious Bridges exclaims, “I am delighted to be nominated and thrilled to be in the company of my very talented fellow Costume Design nominees!” (Two of those nominees are also for Focus films: Jacqueline Durran (Darkest Hour) and Consolata Boyle (Victoria & Abdul).) Supporting Actress nominee Manville relates, "I am rather giddy with excitement at the wonderful news and extremely thankful...It is also quite a day for my son Alfie Oldman––having both parents [Manville and Darkest Hour's Gary Oldman] nominated in the same year.”
Get tickets for Phantom Thread now.
Official trailer for Darkest Hour
Darkest Hour | Six nominations
Darkest Hour, Joe Wright’s timely tale of Winston Churchill’s courage in the face adversity, was equally rewarded with six nominations: Best Picture (Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten and Douglas Urbanski); Actor in a Leading Role (Gary Oldman); Cinematography (Bruno Delbonnel); Production Design (Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer); Costume Design (Jacqueline Durran); and Makeup and Hairstyling (Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski, and Lucy Sibbick).
Gary Oldman––who'd previously been nominated for Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy––was deeply honored to among such remarkable nominees: "To be in such company is deeply, genuinely, humbling. To have the chance to play an iconic leader like Winston Churchill at this point in my career, was the opportunity of a lifetime." Darkest Hour’s producers were especially grateful to know the film’s message is being heard: “In a world that seems to be yearning for true statesmanship, to see Churchill’s words and legacy resonate so strongly, not only with audiences worldwide, but now with our peers leaves us with full hearts today.”
“We so proud of our small teams that made the look of this film possible, without a doubt we work with the best artists in the business,” states production designer Greenwood and set decorator Spencer in a joint statement. “Their skills, tenacity and humor would make Churchill smile.” Durran––who had previously won an Oscar for Anna Karenina––acknowledges her nom as "a recognition of the work of a great costume team who bring the ideas to life, as well as a celebration of the creative collaboration between departments." Delbonnel was equally appreciative. "I was fortunate to work with director, Joe Wright, who had a very visual approach for Darkest Hour. I cannot thank him enough for letting me translate his ideas into cinematography," he said, adding, “I have a special appreciation for the crew on this film. They did a fantastic job. All of them.”
Get tickets for Darkest Hour now.
Official trailer for Victoria & Abdul
Victoria & Abdul | Two nominations
Stephen Frears’ sumptuous tale of a remarkable real-life friendship in Victoria & Abdul did not go unnoticed, picking up two nominations: Costume Design (Consolata Boyle) and Makeup and Hairstyling (Daniel Phillips and Lou Sheppard).
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