Minari and Nomadland, hope is cradled within the wide expanse of the American plains. In Judas and the Black Messiah, it lies in the hands of the people.
And, in Benz’s film, Sound of Metal, a drummer with sudden hearing impairment rediscovers himself thanks to the love and support of the deaf community.
In a year shaped by instability and uncertainty, Benz says that it’s been an opportunity for “reflection for all of us, industry and audience”.
As a result, 2021’s Best Picture nominees capture the spirit of change. It’s an evolution that rejects, in part, the traditional idea of the “Oscar bait” – prestige projects with lavish sets and costumes, where A-list stars suffer beautifully or transform themselves beyond recognition.