#17: The Pianist, 75th Academy Awards, 2003

Categories: Winner of 3 Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Actor

Best Director nominees who lost at the 75th Academy Awards:

• Rob Marshall, Chicago
• Martin Scorsese, Gangs of New York
• Stephen Daldry, The Hours
• Pedro Almódovar, Talk to Her

Since its 2003 win, The Pianist has been ensnared in controversy, its acclaim overshadowed by various contentious issues. Adrien Brody’s intense method of acting drew mixed reactions, while some critics viewed the subject matter as a calculated ploy for Oscar recognition. Director Roman Polanski’s involvement added another layer of controversy, given his history of sexual assault.

Despite Polanski’s Best Director win, his absence from the ceremony due to evading arrest in France cast a shadow over the film’s accolades. In the era of #MeToo and heightened scrutiny, the Academy’s continued praise for The Pianist has faced intense backlash and scrutiny, challenging its standing in cinematic history.