The 2024 Oscars were historic for Ireland, with Cillian Murphy becoming the first native-born Irish man to receive the Best Actor Award.
It was one of many memorable moments from last night's 96th Academy Awards in Las Angeles that included Ryan Gosling’s comedic performance of Barbie hit ‘I’m Just Ken’ and an iconic slip-up from Al Pacino.
Al Pacino realises his slip-up. Image: Associated Press / Alamy Stock PhotoThe veteran actor was tasked with announcing the Best Picture award but appeared to jump the gun when he called out 'Oppenheimer' as the winner without first mentioning the ten other nominees.
It was a moment of confusion reminiscent of the 'La La Land' and 'Moonlight' mix-up in 2017, but the ceremony ran smoothly otherwise.
'Oppenheimer' was the night's big winner, taking home seven gongs, but the Irish-produced film 'Poor Things' ran it close taking home four gongs in total.
🏆Cillian Murphy calls for continued support for Irish artists after historic Oscar win
Newstalk is at the Oscars with thanks to @AerLingus
@HenryMcKean #Oscars pic.twitter.com/7EoTSuDi6q— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) March 11, 2024
Newstalk reporter Henry McKean joined the post-awards press conference remotely from a pool-top bar in LA where he asked Cillian Murphy what it was like to be the first Irish-born man to win Best Actor.
The Cork native said it was really meaningful and called for continued support of Irish film talent.
“In Ireland, we are really great at supporting artists and we need to continue supporting artists and the next generation of actor and director – that’s vitally important,” Cillian Murphy told Newstalk.
Irish in LA
Henry McKean said LA was “hopping” after the awards.
“There’s after parties up and down the Sunset Strip, all over the place,” he said.
“There’s quite a lot of Irish fans about the place, they’re really come out of the woodwork for this.”
Henry said many of the Irish who were at the Oscars planned on going to an afterparty organised by Robbie Ryan, the Dubliner nominated in the Best Cinematography category for his work on 'Poor Things'.
Emma Stone wins the Best Actress award. Image: Associated Press / Alamy Stock PhotoOther memorable moments on the night included Emma Stone's wardrobe malfunction where her dress broke as she went to collect her Best Actress gong for starring in 'Poor Things'.
"My dress is broken," she told the audience as she got on stage, before pleading "don't look at the back of my dress" when leaving.
Host Jimmy Kimmel alongside a semi-naked John Cena at the Oscars last night. Image: AP Photo/Chris PizzelloJohn Cena also presented the Best Costume award semi-naked in homage to the 50th anniversary of when a naked ran onstage during the Oscars – described as one of the craziest moments in the Academy’s history.
The 46-year-old told the crowd that the "male body is not a joke" before handing the award over to 'Poor Things' costume designer Holly Waddington.
Messi the dog pictured in his seat at last night's Academy Awards. Image: Associated Press / Alamy Stock PhotoOne of the unexpected stars of last night's Oscars was Messi the dog who starred in 'Anatomy of a Fall' and had his own seat at the ceremony.
Host Jimmy Kimmell acknowledged Messi in his opening monologue as having given "one of the performances of the year" and joked that he was a sure thing to win the "best boy" award of the night.
Firsts
There were a few notable firsts at the event, not least for British filmmaker Christopher Nolan who finally won his first Academy Award as this year's Best Director for 'Oppenheimer'.
Nolan was first nominated some 22 years ago for 'Memento' and has missed out on a number of other occasions through the years, most notably for 'Inception' in 2011 and 'Dunkirk' in 2018.
Fellow British filmmaker Jonathan Glazer has also made history, with 'The Zone of Interest' becoming the first UK production to win the Oscar for Best International Feature.
Main image: Oscar nominee Cillian Murphy arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024.
