A few hours separate us from this year’s 96th Academy Awards Ceremony, which has strong Greek interest due to the 11 nominations of “Poor Things” by Giorgos Lanthimos and will take place today at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.

Four are the films that are at the forefront of predictions and bets in recent days: the “Oppenheimer” (13 nominations) of Christopher Nolanwhich dissects a dark historical period, charting the rise and fall of the “father” of the atomic bomb, Robert Oppenheimer.

The “Poor Things” by George Lanthimos (11 nominations), which reverses the Frankenstein myth and presents a scathing essay on the freedom and joy of sex, class inequalities, individual and social self-determination, desire and love.

“The Assassins of the Blooming Moon” (10 nominations) by Martin Scorsese, which unfolds the untold story of the harsh exploitation of the Osage natives in post-war America, through a painful account of the blood-stained American identity.

And the collection phenomenon “Barbie” (8 nominations) by Greta Gerwig, a delightful comedy that turns a pop culture icon into a vehicle for a scathing commentary on patriarchal stereotypes.

According to the estimates of most major film media (Variety, Screen International, Hollywood Reporter, Deadline and Indiewire) Christopher Nolan’s film will win the most golden statuettes. Having already been honored with awards from almost all professional associations (actors, directors, producers, etc.) as well as at the Golden Globes and BAFTAs, the biography of the man who designed the first atomic bomb is expected to triumph at this year’s ceremony.

The category that is garnering the most interest at the moment is his first female rolesince near the thread are the Lily Gladstone for the film “The Killers of the Blooming Moon” and Emma Stone for ‘Poor Things’. Both have won Golden Globes for best actress, one in the comedy or musical category and the other in the drama category. Stone has won the BAFTA, but Gladstone winning the award from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) – whose members also vote for the Oscars – increases her chances of winning.

A similar derby is expected in its category first male role between the Cillian Murphy of “Oppenheimer”, who is also considered a favorite Paul Giamattiwho is a few steps behind him, although his moving performance in Alexander Payne’s The Children of Winter is considered by many to be the best of the year.

In the major categories best film and directionundisputed favorite is o Christopher Nolanwho has swept almost all the awards so far.

Giorgos Lanthimos’ film, which has received rave reviews and been praised for its innovative cinematic language and timeless theme of women’s emancipation, is likely to win few awards, as has happened many times in the past with similar films that go beyond their era. However, it has a strong chance of winning in the costume, scenography and make-up awards. The film’s editor Giorgos Mavropsaridis can make a surprise and win the corresponding award for his excellent work, but the favorites in the category are considered to be Jennifer Laim of “Oppenheimer” and Martin Scorsese’s veteran and permanent editor, Thelma Schoonmaker.

It is almost certainly the prizes of secondary roles. Davin Joy Randolph for “Children of Winter” and Robert Downey Jr. for “Oppenheimer” are expected to be this year’s winners.

In the International Film category, the shocking drama of the British Jonathan Glazer, “Zone of Interest”, which describes the daily life of the family of the commandant of Auschwitz Rudolph Hs, dissecting the horrors of Nazism, takes precedence. However, the nomination of the “Snow Society” by the Spaniard Juan Antonio Bayona, which tells one of the most extreme stories of survival, is also strong. It is based on the book of the same title by Pablo Vierci (2008) and revives the air tragedy of the Uruguayan charter flight 571 in the snowy peaks of the Andes in 1972. The sixteen survivors of the accident stayed for seventy-two days in the snow and to survive they resorted to cannibalism.

In Greece, the broadcast of the glamorous ceremony will be made by Cosmote TV with Greek commentary by Thodoris Koutsogiannopoulos and Iosifina Grivea. At the same time, in Thessaloniki, patrons of the “Olympion” cinema will have the opportunity to watch the award ceremony live, as part of the 26th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival.

Entry to the event will be with a zero entry ticket issued by the Festival cashiers.