In these videos, directors walked us through pivotal scenes from their Academy Award-nominated films.
How do you go about crafting the perfect dream ballet? What is the most dynamic way to open your movie? How do you build a dance sequence centered around a character who has never danced before?
These were some of the questions that faced the directors of the 10 best picture nominees for the 2024 Academy Awards, which air on Sunday. Below, you’ll hear from first-time feature directors (Celine Song and Cord Jefferson), the most seasoned of veterans (Martin Scorsese) and many others about what it took to get a scene just right.
Greta Gerwig on ‘Barbie’
Greta Gerwig, the co-writer and director of “Barbie,” narrates this musical sequence, including Ryan Gosling’s performance of the song “I’m Just Ken.”Warner Bros.
Christopher Nolan on ‘Oppenheimer’
The writer and director Christopher Nolan narrates the opening sequence from the film, starring Cillian Murphy.Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures, via Associated Press
Martin Scorsese on ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’
The director Martin Scorsese narrates a sequence in which the character Ernest Burkhart, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, is cornered by investigators.Apple TV+
Alexander Payne on ‘The Holdovers’
Alexander Payne narrates a sequence in which two of the main characters, played by Paul Giamatti and Dominic Sessa, have a tough conversation in a liquor store.Seacia Pavao/Focus Features
Cord Jefferson on ‘American Fiction’
The screenwriter and director Cord Jefferson narrates a scene in which the film’s lead, played by Jeffrey Wright, comes up with an idea for a new novel.Claire Folger/Orion Pictures
Justine Triet on ‘Anatomy of a Fall’
The director Justine Triet narrates a sequence dissecting an argument between two of the movie’s central characters, played by Sandra Hüller and Samuel Theis.Neon
Bradley Cooper on ‘Maestro’
The director Bradley Cooper narrates a sequence from the film in which he stars alongside Carey Mulligan. The scene involves an argument that takes place on Thanksgiving Day.Jason McDonald/Netflix
Celine Song on ‘Past Lives’
Two characters, played by Greta Lee and Teo Yoo, reunite after many years in this scene narrated by the writer and director Celine Song.Jon Pack/A24
Yorgos Lanthimos on ‘Poor Things’
The director Yorgos Lanthimos narrates a sequence from the film in which the characters played by Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo share a dance.Atsushi Nishijima/Searchlight Pictures
Jonathan Glazer on ‘The Zone of Interest’
The director Jonathan Glazer narrates a sequence in this Holocaust drama that takes place in the home of the lead characters.A24
