In these videos, directors walked us through pivotal scenes from their 2025 Academy Award-nominated films.
Sometimes all it takes is one scene. One scene to understand where a movie may take you. One scene to connect with its characters. One scene to give a sense of its style.
In this collection of sequences from the 10 movies nominated for best picture at the 2025 Academy Awards (airing Sunday, March 2), you will hear director commentary that illuminates each nominee. A few scenes play out largely in one shot, others build out their world from a song. But each one required an intensive combination of craft and planning to pull off. Watch those narrated scenes below.
Sean Baker on ‘Anora’
The writer, director and editor Sean Baker narrates a sequence from his comedy featuring Mikey Madison and Mark Eydelshteyn.Neon
Brady Corbet on ‘The Brutalist’
The director Brady Corbet narrates a sequence from his film, starring Adrien Brody. The movie is nominated for 10 Academy Awards.Lol Crawley/A24
James Mangold on ‘A Complete Unknown’
James Mangold narrates a sequence from his film, starring Timothée Chalamet.Macall Polay/Searchlight Pictures
Edward Berger on ‘Conclave’
The director Edward Berger narrates a sequence from his film, featuring Ralph Fiennes.Philippe Antonello/Focus Features
Denis Villeneuve on ‘Dune: Part Two’
The director Denis Villeneuve narrates a battle sequence from his film, featuring Austin Butler.Niko Tavernise/Warner Bros. Pictures
Jacques Audiard on ‘Emilia Pérez’
The director Jacques Audiard narrates a sequence featuring the song “El Mal” from his film, with Zoe Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón.Shanna Besson/Netflix
Walter Salles on ‘I’m Still Here’
The director Walter Salles narrates a scene from his film, which has an Oscar nomination for best picture.Alile Onawale/Sony Pictures Classics
RaMell Ross on ‘Nickel Boys’
The director RaMell Ross narrates a sequence from his film, which has been nominated for best picture.Orion Pictures
Coralie Fargeat on ‘The Substance’
The writer and director Coralie Fargeat narrates a sequence from her film starring Demi Moore.Mubi
Jon M. Chu on ‘Wicked’
The director Jon M. Chu narrates a scene in “Wicked” that features the song “Popular,” with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.Universal Pictures
