Oscars 2025 as it happened: Anora wins best picture; Mikey Madison and Adrien Brody take out best actor awards

“There are so many external factors that can impede you ... I had a hard time getting out of my own way, and self-sabotaging, trying to believe what others saw in me and not listening to my own voice.”

Saldaña was also asked to address the portrayal of Mexico in Emilia Pèrez, which drew criticism from locals who claimed it stereotyped Mexicans and portrayed Mexican crime culture as violent and excessive.

“I’m very, very sorry ... that was never our intention,” she said. “I don’t share your opinion. For me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico. We were making a film about friendship. We were making a film about four women.”

For Sean Baker, the rest of his life as an Oscar winner had already begun – this is his fourth personal win for the night (as one of the producers of the film, he shares in the best picture award). But no award means more than this one.

“I want to thank the academy for recognising a truly independent film,” says Baker when he steps up to the microphone, the last of the film’s producers to do so. “This film was made on the blood, sweat and tears of indie filmmakers. Long live independent film.”

It’s really a remarkable run for the little film about a stripper (Mikey Madison, who won best actress immediately before this award was handed out) who thinks she’s met her Prince Charming when the son of a Russian oligarch hires her to be his girlfriend for a week, and then marries her. As the fauxmance goes off the rails, all hell breaks loose, but the film never sacrifices heart for laughs or tension.

It’s a perfectly judged piece of work, and it’s great – and a little surprising – that it’s been so fully embraced by the Academy’s 10,000 or so members. Almost makes you feel good to be alive.

And what about Sean Baker? Well, he joins a very small and elite group of people who have won four Oscars in a single year. Very small. Very elite.

It’s him and Walt Disney.

Walt picked up four Oscars in 1954. But they were for four different projects, on which he was producer. Baker’s multiple wins are for a single film, and a film on which his fingerprints were everywhere.

Well done, Mr Baker. Well done.

Instead, the trophy went to Mikey Madison, whose raw and unflinching portrayal of an opportunistic Brooklyn escort has proven popular with audiences and voters alike.

“I grew up in Los Angeles but Hollywood felt so far away for me. Thank you to the sex worker community, meeting those people has been a highlight for me,” said Madison.

“I am honoured to be recognised alongside all of you and I need to thank Sean. I adore you, this is all because of you.”

Anora has proven a hit at the 97th annual Academy Awards, taking home best picture, best editing, best original screenplay, best director and best lead actress.

“I pray for a healthier and happier and more inclusive world,” he said. “If the past can teach us anything, it’s to not let hate go unchecked. Let’s fight for what’s right.”

Brody refused to let his speech be cut off, and asked for the music to be turned off.

“I have done this before. It is not my first rodeo, but I will be brief,” he said.

An interesting piece of trivia: Brody’s character in The Brutalist is Laszlo Toth. In real life, Laszlo Toth was a Hungarian-born Australian geologist who vandalised Michelangelo’s Pieta in 1972.