PRESS RELEASE
February 8, 2022
Apple lands historic first Best Picture Oscar nomination for “CODA,” and secures six Academy Award nominations including Best Actor for Denzel Washington in “The Tragedy of Macbeth” and Best Supporting Actor for Troy Kotsur in “CODA”
Toronto, Ontario Apple today made history, landing six Academy Award nominations in several major categories, including Best Picture for “CODA”; Best Actor for Denzel Washington in “The Tragedy of Macbeth”; Best Supporting Actor for Troy Kotsur in “CODA”; Best Adapted Screenplay for writer/director Siân Heder for “CODA”; Best Cinematography for Bruno Delbonnel for “The Tragedy of Macbeth”; and Best Production Design for Stefan Dechant for “The Tragedy of Macbeth.”
With today’s nomination for “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” Denzel Washington breaks his own record with 10 total Oscar nominations, becoming among the most nominated actors ever and the most nominated Black man in history.
Apple Original Films’ “CODA” becomes the first motion picture starring a predominantly Deaf cast in leading roles to receive a Best Picture nomination, and Troy Kotsur becomes the first Deaf male actor to receive a nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category for his powerful performance.
Additionally, “CODA” writer/director Siân Heder earns her first-ever Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
The news was announced today by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and winners for the 94th Annual Academy Awards will be revealed on Sunday, March 27, in Los Angeles, CA.
“Everyone at Apple thanks the Academy and congratulates all of our exceptional filmmakers and actors on their well deserved nominations,” said Zack Van Amburg, Apple’s head of Worldwide Video. “We are humbled by reaching this milestone of receiving a Best Picture nomination for ‘CODA,’ a groundbreaking motion picture that uplifts, entertains and transforms. We applaud the visionaries in front of and behind the camera who brought ‘CODA’ and ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ to life, powerful films that connect story with humanity and will resonate with audiences for generations to come.”
“We truly appreciate the Academy’s recognition of these special films and extraordinary performances,” said Jamie Erlicht, Apple’s head of Worldwide Video. “After watching audiences connect with these undeniably deserving films all over the world, it is rewarding to now see this diverse selection of Apple Original Films being honoured at the highest level. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with so many talented creative storytellers and send our warmest congratulations to all of the nominees.”
Apple received six total nominations for the 94th Annual Academy Awards as follows:
- Best Picture - “CODA”
- Best Actor - Denzel Washington in “The Tragedy of Macbeth”
- Best Supporting Actor - Troy Kotsur in “CODA”
- Best Adapted Screenplay - Siân Heder for “CODA”
- Best Cinematography - Bruno Delbonnel for “The Tragedy of Macbeth”
- Best Production Design - Stefan Dechant for “The Tragedy of Macbeth”
Since the debut of Apple TV+ just over two years ago, Apple’s series and films have earned 202 wins and 929 nominations, including recent recognition from the Academy Awards, SAG Awards, Critics Choice Awards, Critics Choice Documentary Awards, NAACP Image Awards, as well as past Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards, plus more.
“CODA”
In addition to today’s three Academy Award nominations, the beloved film “CODA” continues its global streak of acclaim, recently earning BAFTA Award nominations, a PGA Award nomination and historic SAG Award nominations — making it the first film with a predominantly Deaf cast to receive a SAG Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Since its global debut, the Apple Original film has also been honoured with an unprecedented four awards at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, including, the Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast, the Directing Award, the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize, and has received an AFI Award. “CODA” has also earned nominations for an NAACP Image Award, and nine nominations for the Hollywood Critics Association Awards.
Seventeen-year-old Ruby (Emilia Jones) is the sole hearing member of a deaf family — a CODA, child of deaf adults. Her life revolves around acting as interpreter for her parents (Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur) and working on the family’s struggling fishing boat every day before school with her father and older brother (Daniel Durant). But when Ruby joins her high school’s choir club, she discovers a gift for singing and soon finds herself drawn to her duet partner Miles (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo). Encouraged by her enthusiastic, tough-love choirmaster (Eugenio Derbez) to apply to a prestigious music school, Ruby finds herself torn between the obligations she feels to her family and the pursuit of her own dreams.
“CODA” is written and directed by Siân Heder, produced by Vendome Pictures and Pathé, with Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi, Patrick Wachsberger and Jérôme Seydoux serving as producers, and Ardavan Safaee and Sarah Borch-Jacobsen as executive producers.
“CODA” is now streaming on Apple TV+.
“The Tragedy of Macbeth”
Since its global debut earlier this year, “The Tragedy of Macbeth” recently received nominations from the Screen Actors Guild, BAFTA and NAACP Image Awards, and more.
Written and directed by four-time Academy Award winner Joel Coen, “The Tragedy of Macbeth” is an Apple Original Films and A24 production starring two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington and four-time Academy Award winner Frances McDormand. The cast also includes Bertie Carvel, Alex Hassell, Corey Hawkins, Kathryn Hunter, Harry Melling, Brendan Gleeson and Moses Ingram.
Coen’s bold and fierce adaptation; a tale of murder, madness, ambition and wrathful cunning is based on the play by William Shakespeare, in which a Scottish lord becomes convinced by a trio of witches that he will become the next King of Scotland. His ambitious wife will do anything to support him in his plans of seizing power.
“The Tragedy of Macbeth” reunites frequent Coen collaborators including Bruno Delbonnel as cinematographer, Mary Zophres as costume designer and a score from Carter Burwell. In addition to directing, Coen produces the film alongside McDormand and Robert Graf.
“The Tragedy of Macbeth” is now playing in theaters and streaming globally on Apple TV+.
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