On Sunday night, the 97th Academy Awards saw significant wins in the music categories. “El Mal,” a powerful song from Netflix’s “Emilia Pérez,” took home the Oscar for Best Original Song. The song was written by French songwriters Camille and Clément Ducol, along with the film’s director Jacques Audiard. This victory marked a notable achievement for the film, which had two songs nominated in the same category, including “Mi Camino,” performed by Selena Gomez.
“El Mal” is a three-minute tour de force sung by Zoe Saldaña, who plays lawyer Rita Castro in the film. The song is a fantasy sequence where Saldaña dances amidst the rich and powerful, condemning the hypocrisy of those responsible for thousands of deaths during Mexico’s drug wars. The song combines rock and rap elements and previously won a Golden Globe.
Mick Jagger introduced the Best Original Song category, humorously recounting how he wasn’t the first choice to present the award. He joked that Bob Dylan suggested someone younger should do it, prompting Jagger to say, “I’m younger, I’ll do it!” Camille began her acceptance speech with a nod to Jagger’s introduction, using the “Whoo-woo” chant from “Sympathy for the Devil.” She then turned serious, highlighting the song’s message against corruption and the role of music and art in promoting progress.
Later in the evening, English composer Daniel Blumberg won the Oscar for Best Original Score for his work on Brady Corbet’s epic film “The Brutalist.” This was Blumberg’s first Oscar nomination and his second feature score, following his work on “The World to Come.” Blumberg’s score for “The Brutalist” is notable for its extensive use of brass instruments and a three-part overture, as well as contributions from renowned musicians like John Tilbury and Vince Clarke.
Blumberg’s approach involved working closely with Corbet during filming, often providing music in advance for the actors. Despite using a relatively small ensemble of musicians, Blumberg recorded them remotely across Europe and mixed the tracks together. His score includes a range of styles, from modernist piano pieces to bebop jazz and synthesizer-driven tracks.
Blumberg has already received BAFTA and Society of Composers & Lyricists awards for his work on “The Brutalist.” His background includes being part of indie bands like Cajun Dance Party and Yuck, and he is currently working on Mona Fastvold’s next film, “Ann Lee.”
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