Oscar Moments: Talk of War and Peace, a Coronation for Nolan, and Ken-demonium for Gosling

And In Gaza

Jonathan Glazer's "The Zone of Interest" may be about World War II – a chilling depiction of the family of a Nazi commandant living next to the Auschwitz death camp – but it was a current war that the writer-director spoke about when accepting his Oscar for best international film. "Our film shows where dehumanization leads at its worst," Glazer said, before addressing the conflict in Gaza. "Right now we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people," he said. "Whether the victims of October the 7th in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza, all the victims of this dehumanization, how do we resist?"

A Sad Reminder

"If they decide to kill me, it means that we are incredibly strong." Those words from the mouth of Navalny, the Russian opposition leader, began the in memoriam segment, a devastating reminder of his death last month in a Russian prison. Navalny was the subject of last year's winning documentary, "Navalny," and his wife had stood on the stage that night and spoken to him directly: "Alexei, I am dreaming of the day when you will be free and our country will be free," Yulia Navalnaya had said. Stay strong, my love."

Emma Stone Triumphs, Her Dress Not So Much

Many were anticipating a historic win for Gladstone for her subtle and affecting work as an Osage wife in "Killers of the Flower Moon." Gladstone would have become the first Native American to win an Oscar and had won several precursor awards, but it was Stone's masterfully physical comedic performance in "Poor Things" that won instead, with the actor making some history of her own as one of the few to win the best actress category multiple times – and at only 35. Stone told Gladstone that she shared the award with her. She also confessed to the crowd that she had a "broken" dress – a back that had unraveled, apparently during the evening's most high energy moment...

On This Night, Ken Was More Than Kenough

... namely, the delightfully raucous "I'm Just Ken" performance, in which Gosling proved yet again that he can do almost anything (drama, action, comedy, song and dance) without breaking a sweat. It was a moment that was highly anticipated by "Barbie" fans and, well, practically everyone, and it did not disappoint. Gosling, in shocking pink and sequins, began his performance in the audience, singing into the ears of co-star Margot Robbie, and then headed to the stage, where he joined Mark Ronson, executive producer of the "Barbie" soundtrack, and a gaggle of dancing Kens, including Simu Liu. A surprise guest was Slash on guitar, but the best moment was when Gosling went down to the front row to sing with a delighted Greta Gerwig, Robbie, and America Ferrera, who sang with him: "I'm just Ken and I'm enough, And I'm great at doing stuff!" Yes, he was great at doing stuff.

Nolan's 'Incredible Journey'

Like many of the evening's prizes. Nolan's award for best director – and best picture for "Oppenheimer," along with his producer wife Emma Thomas – may have been a forgone conclusion. But it was still thrilling to behold the coronation of a filmmaker who many thought was long overdue. Winning his first directing Oscar, the 53-year-old Nolan remarked that cinema is just over a hundred years old. "Imagine being there 100 years into painting or theater," said Nolan. "We don't know where this incredible journey is going from here. But to know that you think that I'm a meaningful part of it means the world to me."

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