The 98th Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, showcased a significant presence of Jewish talent, though none took home an Oscar. While last year saw Jewish actors Adrien Brody and Mikey Madison win for Best Actor and Best Actress respectively, this year’s ceremony was marked by heartfelt tributes rather than accolades.
The In Memoriam segment proved to be the most poignant moment of the evening, as the film community honored director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, both of whom passed away recently. Actor Billy Crystal took the stage to reflect on Reiner’s legacy, emphasizing the impact of his film work. Crystal recounted their first meeting in 1975 during an episode of “All in the Family,” stating, “Rob’s movies will last for lifetimes because they were about what makes us laugh and cry and what we aspire to be.”
Crystal highlighted the Reiners’ commitment to social justice, particularly their role in advocating for marriage equality across the United States. His tribute concluded with a touching remark, “Buddy, what fun we had storming the castle,” as a screen displaying posters of Reiner-directed films revealed 17 actors who starred in them, including Kevin Pollak and Mandy Patinkin.
The segment also included a tribute to actor Robert Redford, who died on September 16, 2023. Barbra Streisand, who starred alongside Redford in “The Way We Were,” performed the film’s title song, a piece that won two Academy Awards. The evening also remembered Alan Bergman, who passed away on July 17, 2023, and was honored in the In Memoriam segment.
Several notable Jewish filmmakers were recognized during the ceremony. David Borenstein and Lucie Kon received the award for Best Documentary Feature for “Mr. Nobody Against Putin.” Borenstein described the documentary as a reflection on the loss of one’s country through complicity, emphasizing the moral choices individuals face in response to government actions.
Despite the notable Jewish presence, this year’s nominations did not culminate in wins for many artists. Diane Warren received her 17th nomination for the song “Dear Me” from the documentary “Diane Warren: Relentless,” but she remains without an Oscar, despite receiving an Honorary Oscar in 2023.
Among the films with Jewish themes, “Marty Supreme” follows the life of Jewish table tennis champion Marty Reisman and was nominated for nine awards but did not secure any wins. Jewish nominees included Timothée Chalamet for Best Actor, Josh Safdie for Best Director, and Ronald Bronstein for Best Original Screenplay. Director Steven Spielberg garnered his 23rd overall nomination as a producer for “Hamnet,” while producer Jerry Bruckheimer received his second nomination for “F1.”
This year’s ceremony also featured films related to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Documentaries such as Hilla Medalia‘s “Children No More: Were and Are Gone” and Meyer Levinson-Blount‘s “Butcher’s Stain” were nominated but did not win. A Tunisian film, “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” which tells the story of a Palestinian child killed in Gaza, was nominated for Best International Feature, with actor Javier Bardem presenting the award. Before announcing the winner, Bardem made headlines by stating, “No to wars and free Palestine,” prompting a response from the advocacy group Creative Community for Peace.
As the evening drew to a close, the Norwegian film “Sentimental Value” won Best International Feature, highlighting the diverse narratives that continue to emerge from the global film community. The 98th Academy Awards served not only as a celebration of cinematic achievements but also as a moment of reflection on the contributions and losses within the film industry, particularly among its Jewish members.
