The 98th Academy Awards crowned Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle after Another as Best Picture on Sunday evening at the Dolby Theatre, hosted by Conan O’Brien. Despite no official Moroccan entry, the Kingdom makes its mark indirectly through the Spanish film Sirat by Oliver Laxe, shot in Morocco’s Saghro desert and praised for its spiritual dimension inspired by local Sufism.
One Battle after Another secures six major Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, edging out Ryan Coogler’s Sinners (a record 16 nominations). Michael B. Jordan wins Best Actor for Sinners, while Valeur sentimentale takes Best International Feature and KPop Demon Hunters claims Best Animated Feature. Wagner Moura makes history as the first Brazilian nominated for Best Actor in L’Agent secret.
Morocco Shines Through Sirat Filmed in Saghro
For Morocco, although the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM) issued a call for entries without a final selection, the success of Sirat – filmed in our Saghro dunes – highlights the potential of Moroccan landscapes and culture for the international big screen. A precious nod to our national cinema.
