The movie “Everything Everywhere All At Once” has won the Best Picture award at the 2023 Oscars, as well as six other awards for categories such as Best Director, Original Screenplay, Film Editing, Actress, and Supporting Actor and Actress.
The film, directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, is a multiverse masterpiece that initially felt like a niche, cult film with limited mainstream appeal. However, as word of mouth spread and the film stayed in theaters week after week, its popularity grew, culminating in the film’s recognition at the Oscars.
What makes “Everything Everywhere All At Once” a unique film is its blend of genres and themes. It is a science fiction fantasy that explores alternate universes and challenges viewers to keep up with its fast pace.
At the same time, it is also a comedy and an action-thriller with a majority Asian cast, showcasing nuanced, emotional storytelling that is not often seen in American film. The movie is full of Easter eggs and in-jokes aimed directly at cinephiles, making it a collective feel-good experience for cinema fans.
Despite its technical brilliance and ambition, the film’s offbeat, genre-bending approach is not the type of movie that typically wins Best Picture at the Oscars. The Academy Awards traditionally focuses on historical dramas and prestige films, and genre films are usually recognized only in technical categories. However, the success of “Everything Everywhere All At Once” suggests that the Academy is starting to recognize the value of innovative, challenging cinema that pushes the boundaries of the medium.
The film’s triumph is also a victory for weird cinema, as it represents a conscious effort to challenge the medium and push audiences to be better, kinder people. Its success may inspire more filmmakers to experiment with new styles and approaches, much like how “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” inspired animators to push the boundaries of animation.
The recognition of “Everything Everywhere All At Once” by the Academy may also signal a shift in the type of films that are recognized and celebrated at the Oscars, opening the door for more weird, genre-bending films that reflect the diverse voices and perspectives of modern cinema.
In conclusion, the recognition of “Everything Everywhere All At Once” at the Oscars is a triumph for innovative, challenging cinema that pushes the boundaries of the medium. The film’s unique blend of genres and themes, combined with its technical brilliance and ambitious storytelling, sets a new standard for what is possible in cinema.
As more filmmakers are inspired to experiment with new styles and approaches, we can expect to see a wider range of diverse, boundary-pushing films that reflect the complex and nuanced nature of modern storytelling.
