Here are some interesting and offbeat facts about this year's Oscars:
-- The youngest and oldest nominees ever appear in one category, for the first time since the earliest Oscars: nine-year-old Quvenzhane Wallis is nominated for best actress for "Beasts of the Southern Wild," while 85-year-old Emmanuelle Riva is up for her role in "Amour." The French star turns 86 on Sunday, when the winners will be announced at the 85th Academy Awards.
-- In fact they're not the 85th Academy Awards, at least not officially -- they're just the Oscars this year. "We're rebranding it," co-producer Neil Meron told an interviewer last week. "We're not calling it 'The 85th annual Academy Awards,' which keeps it mired somewhat in a musty way. It's called 'The Oscars'." An Academy spokeswoman said the name changes from year to year.
-- Another name change: the venue hosting the Oscars is now officially the Dolby Theatre, not the Kodak Theatre, after the bankrupt camera company pulled out of its sponsorship for the Hollywood Boulevard building. The audio pioneer snapped up the chance to have its name linked to the Academy Awards, officially changing the sign on the front last May.
-- "Amour" ("Love") is only the fifth film ever to be nominated for both best foreign movie -- for which it is the frontrunner -- and best picture overall. The others are "Z," which won best picture in 1969; "The Emigrants," nominated for foreign language in 1971 and best picture in 1972; "Life is Beautiful," which won the best foreign language Oscar in 1998; and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," the foreign language winner in 2000.
-- The oldest ever Oscar acting nominee was Gloria Stuart, who was 87 when she was nominated as best supporting actress for 1997's "Titanic." The youngest acting nominee was Justin Henry, who was eight when nominated as best supporting actor for 1979's "Kramer vs. Kramer."
-- George Clooney, a co-producer of Ben Affleck's best picture favorite "Argo," joins Warren Beatty as the only person having been nominated for best picture, directing, acting and screenwriting.
-- John Williams, nominated for best original score for Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln," has more Oscar nominations than any other living person, with 48. The only person with more overall was Walt Disney, with 59. Woody Allen is the second most-nominated person still alive, with 23. He has won four, but is famously reluctant to leave his native New York to come to Hollywood to collect them.
-- Jessica Chastain, nominated for best actress for Osama bin Laden manhunt movie "Zero Dark Thirty," is the only acting nominee who was also up for an Oscar last year -- as supporting actress for civil rights-era drama "The Help."
-- At the Governors Ball, the formal after-party immediately following Sunday night's show, there will be 1,500 guests, 1,500 bottles of champagne, 12,000 glasses, 6,500 Oscar statuette-shaped flat breads, 1,300 farmer oysters, 600 Maine lobsters, 10 pounds of white truffles from Alba, Italy, 10 pounds of black truffles from Burgundy, France, 5,000 mini chocolate Oscars and 10 pounds of edible gold dust.
-- The hors d'oeuvres include Smoked Salmon Oscars, Duck Wontons, Mini Kobe-Style Burgers or Assorted Pizzas. Among main dishes are Baked Potato and Caviar, Steamed Red Snapper with Thai Spice, and Truffle Macaroni and Cheese. Desserts include Mango Crumble, Huckleberry Macarons, and Bon Bons. There are also Concord Grape Lollipops, Violet Velvet Truffles, and Everyone's Oscar Favorite Peanut Butter Chocolate Pop Rock Pop, which is vegetarian.
AFP
Sun Feb 24 2013
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.