Oscars: will the documentary branch finally honor popular films?
The documentary feature category at the Oscars has always been a bit of a wild card. While some gems have taken home the coveted trophy, many others have been overlooked, often leading to widespread debate and discussion. This year, the lineup remains as unpredictable as ever, with no clear frontrunner yet emerging. Let’s delve into what makes this category both maddening and fascinating.
The unpredictability factor
The Academy’s Documentary Branch has never shied away from controversy. In past years, they’ve passed over films that seemed like sure bets. Who could forget the snubs for widely adored documentaries like “Apollo 11,” “Jane,” “Three Identical Strangers,” and ”American Symphony”? This branch is notorious for its unexpected choices, making it a topic of endless speculation.
Historical perspective
Since 2000, very few filmmakers who have previously won the Best Documentary Feature award have managed to secure another nomination. Michael Moore, who won for “Bowling for Columbine” in 2002, was later nominated for “Sicko” in 2007. Similarly, Laura Poitras, who won for ”Citizenfour” in 2014, received another nod for “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed” in 2022. However, several notable winners like Davis Guggenheim, Alex Gibney, and Morgan Neville have been surprisingly omitted from subsequent nominations. The big question is, will this trend continue, or will we see a change this year?
The frontrunners and dark horses
Morgan Neville returns to the race with his animated biopic Piece by Piece, chronicling the life of Pharrell Williams. Given the Documentary Branch’s history of snubbing innovative work, like Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s “The Rescue,” will Neville’s film face the same fate? Fortunately, ‘Piece by Piece’ is also in contention for animated feature and original song, which could boost its chances.
International contenders
The Documentary Branch has recently welcomed a wave of international members, potentially changing the landscape of this category. With a broader voter base, films like Shiori Itô’s powerful Black Box Diaries and Mati Diop’s Dahomey, Senegal’s official submission for International Feature, might see greater success. This diversification could be the key to more varied and inclusive nominations.
The buzz around ‘Sugarcane’
As awards season progresses, National Geographic’s Sugarcane seems to be gaining momentum, leading the Critics Choice Documentary Awards with eight nominations. Directed by Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie, this film is among several strong contenders, including Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story, Daughters, The Greatest Night in Pop, Jim Henson: Idea Man, Music by John Williams, The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, Will & Harper.
Netflix’s muscle
Netflix stands as a dominant force in this year’s race, boasting several top contenders. Leading the charge is the Sundance award winner Daughters, currently one of the most talked-about documentaries. The streaming giant also has high hopes with Skywalkers: A Love Story and The Remarkable Life of Ibelin.
Breaking new ground?
It’s important to note that no documentary has ever been nominated for Best Picture. The last time a nonfiction film came close was in the now-defunct ‘Unique and Artistic Production’ category with “Chang” at the 1927/28 Oscars. Perhaps it’s time for the Academy to rethink its approach and consider expanding the voting pool for the documentary feature category to include members from other branches. This move could finally see a nonfiction film vying for the Academy’s top prize, a development that is long overdue.
Predicted nominees
Here are the anticipated nominees for Best Documentary Feature:
- Daughters (Netflix) — Angela Patton, Natalie Rae
- Sugarcane (National Geographic Documentary Films) — Julian Brave NoiseCat, Emily Kassie
- Black Box Diaries (MTV Documentary Films) — Shiori Itō
- Dahomey (Mubi) — Mati Diop, Judith Lou Lévy, Eve Robin
- No Other Land (ImmerGuteFilme) — Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Rachel Szor, Fabien Greenberg, Bård Kjøge Rønning
Next-in-line
- The Commandant’s Shadow (HBO Documentary Films) — Daniela Völker
- Ernest Cole: Lost and Found (Magnolia Pictures) — Raoul Peck
- Separated (Submarine Deluxe) — Errol Morris
- Will & Harper (Netflix) — Josh Greenbaum
- Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (Warner Bros.) — Ian Bonhôte, Peter Ettedgui
Stay tuned for more updates as the awards season heats up. Share this article with your friends and followers on social media, and don’t forget to stay connected for the latest in film, TV, and documentary news.# The Oscars’ documentary race: A surge of dynamic storytelling
The Best Documentary Feature category at the Oscars remains one of the most unpredictable and compelling races each awards season. This year, as always, it comes with its mix of early frontrunners, unexpected dark horses, and the ever-present question: Will the Academy’s Documentary Branch finally honor a high-profile, popular film?
Historical surprises and persistent patterns
The Documentary Branch is known for its eclectic and sometimes baffling selections, often overlooking fan-favorites and critically acclaimed entries. Past snubs include widely admired documentaries like Apollo 11, Jane, Three Identical Strangers, and American Symphony. The trend suggests a penchant for the unexpected, making predictions both exciting and challenging.
Award-winning filmmakers and their struggles
Since the turn of the millennium, very few filmmakers who have previously clinched the Best Documentary Feature award have managed to land another nomination. Notable exceptions include Michael Moore, who won for Bowling for Columbine and later received a nod for Sicko, and Laura Poitras, who won for Citizenfour and was later nominated for All the Beauty and the Bloodshed.
This year’s dynamic contenders
Morgan Neville returns with Piece by Piece, an animated biopic chronicling the life of Pharrell Williams. Despite Neville’s illustrious reputation, will the Documentary Branch embrace re-creations of pivotal moments in Pharrell’s life, or might they overlook it like they did with Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s The Rescue? ‘Piece by Piece’ is also aiming for spots in the animated feature and original song categories, factors that might play in its favor.
International influence and diversity
A surge in international membership within the Documentary Branch has introduced fresh perspectives, possibly favoring non-U.S. productions. This broadened voter base could see films like Shiori Itô’s Black Box Diaries and Mati Diop’s Dahomey, Senegal’s official International Feature submission, achieving greater recognition than before.
Current buzz: ‘Sugarcane’
National Geographic’s Sugarcane is leading the charge at the Critics Choice Documentary Awards with eight nominations. Directed by Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie, ‘Sugarcane’ is one to watch this awards season. Other notable documentaries gaining traction include Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story, Daughters, The Greatest Night in Pop, Jim Henson: Idea Man, and Music by John Williams.
Netflix’s strategic positioning
Netflix has emerged as a formidable contender in the documentary race, owing to its slate of high-quality productions. Leading the pack is Daughters, a Sundance award winner that has captured both critical and popular attention. Additionally, the streaming giant is placing its bets on Skywalkers: A Love Story, The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, and several other compelling entries.
Breaking tradition: a nonfiction Best Picture nominee?
No documentary has ever been nominated for the Best Picture category, though a notable close call was ”Chang” nominated in the now-defunct ‘Unique and Artistic Production’ category in 1927/28. Expanding the voting pool to include members from other branches might offer documentaries a better shot at the top prize, a change that many argue is long overdue.
Predicted nominees for Best Documentary Feature
Currently leading the list are:
- Daughters (Netflix) — Angela Patton, Natalie Rae
- Sugarcane (National Geographic Documentary Films) — Julian Brave NoiseCat, Emily Kassie
- Black Box Diaries (MTV Documentary Films) — Shiori Itō
- Dahomey (Mubi) — Mati Diop, Judith Lou Lévy, Eve Robin
- No Other Land (ImmerGuteFilme) — Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Rachel Szor, Fabien Greenberg, Bård Kjøge Rønning
In the race but not yet secure
- The Commandant’s Shadow (HBO Documentary Films) — Daniela Völker
- Ernest Cole: Lost and Found (Magnolia Pictures) — Raoul Peck
- Separated (Submarine Deluxe) — Errol Morris
- Will & Harper (Netflix) — Josh Greenbaum
- Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (Warner Bros.) — Ian Bonhôte, Peter Ettedgui
The documentary race this year promises twists and turns, making it one of the most intriguing categories at the Oscars. Share your thoughts on social media and stay connected for more updates on the festivities.# The Oscars documentary race: Will popular films finally take the spotlight?
When it comes to the Oscars, the Best Documentary Feature category is often an unpredictable rollercoaster. Known for shocking snubs and surprise wins, this category consistently keeps audiences on their toes. Let’s dive into this year’s contenders and explore what makes this race particularly tantalizing.
The history of surprises
The Documentary Branch has a storied history of passing over crowd-pleasers and critically adored films. Iconic titles like Apollo 11, Jane, Three Identical Strangers, and American Symphony found themselves surprisingly omitted from nominations. This trend underscores the branch’s unpredictability.
Repeated snubs for past winners?
A pattern has emerged where past winners in the Best Documentary Feature category struggle to secure subsequent nominations. Notable exceptions like Michael Moore with Bowling for Columbine and later Sicko, as well as Laura Poitras with Citizenfour and later All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, highlight this trend. Despite their noteworthy contributions, many follow-up projects from these filmmakers have failed to gain recognition.
The frontrunners and dark horses
Morgan Neville’s Piece by Piece, an animated biopic about Pharrell Williams, is gathering buzz. However, the Documentary Branch’s historic ambivalence towards innovative narratives could see another snub. Understanding the branch’s mercurial tastes is key—while The Rescue faced a similar fate, Neville’s dual contention in animated feature and original song categories could bolster his film’s visibility.
Boost from international diversity
The Documentary Branch is now more globally represented than ever, possibly paving the way for international films. Shiori Itô’s Black Box Diaries and Mati Diop’s Dahomey—Senegal’s official International Feature submission—might find favor thanks to this broadened voter base.
The buzz surrounding ‘Sugarcane’
National Geographic’s Sugarcane is leading the Critics Choice Documentary Awards with eight nominations and seems poised for success. Directors Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie have created a film that resonates deeply with audiences and critics alike. Other strong contenders include Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story, Daughters, The Greatest Night in Pop, Jim Henson: Idea Man, and Music by John Williams.
Netflix’s strong positioning
Netflix continues to be a powerhouse in the documentary space with several high-profile entries. Leading its slate is Daughters, a Sundance winner that’s currently dominating the conversation. Other anticipated titles include Skywalkers: A Love Story and The Remarkable Life of Ibelin. Netflix’s strategic positioning and extensive reach could give these films added visibility and momentum.
Breaking new ground?
No documentary has ever been nominated for Best Picture—a significant omission in Oscar history. A notable near-miss occurred with “Chang,” which was nominated in the defunct ‘Unique and Artistic Production’ category back in 1927/28. Expanding the voting pool for this category to include members from other branches might finally break this barrier, ushering documentaries into more significant contests and possibly even Best Picture.
This year’s predicted nominees
Here are the top contenders vying for the Best Documentary Feature Oscar:
- Daughters (Netflix) — Angela Patton, Natalie Rae
- Sugarcane (National Geographic Documentary Films) — Julian Brave NoiseCat, Emily Kassie
- Black Box Diaries (MTV Documentary Films) — Shiori Itō
- Dahomey (Mubi) — Mati Diop, Judith Lou Lévy, Eve Robin
- No Other Land (ImmerGuteFilme) — Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Rachel Szor, Fabien Greenberg, Bård Kjøge Rønning
On the cusp but not secure
- The Commandant’s Shadow (HBO Documentary Films) — Daniela Völker
- Ernest Cole: Lost and Found (Magnolia Pictures) — Raoul Peck
- Separated (Submarine Deluxe) — Errol Morris
- Will & Harper (Netflix) — Josh Greenbaum
- Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (Warner Bros.) — Ian Bonhôte, Peter Ettedgui
The documentary category remains a thrilling aspect of the Oscars, filled with anticipation and potential surprises. Engage with this discussion on social media and stay updated for the latest in documentary news and more.