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Joaquin Phoenix excited for Oscar nominations


Published : 17 Jan 2020 08:20 PM | Updated : 07 Sep 2020 02:28 PM

Actor Joaquin Phoenix is overwhelmed that his film Joker is leading the Oscar nomination pack this year, and says that the Academy encouragement helped ignite and sustain his career. Phoenix turned the story of a mentally unstable loner and failed comedian Arthur Fleck, who picks violence to find calmness in his life, into a blockbuster.

"I feel honoured and humbled to have been nominated by my fellow actors. The Academy's encouragement helped ignite and sustain my career and I am incredibly grateful for that support. I'd like to also congratulate my fellow nominees for being recognised for their inspiring performances that have enriched our art form," Phoenix said.

Todd Phillips' "Joker", an origin story about superhero Batman's biggest enemy Joker, got 11 nods, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. Other categories are Cinematography, Adapted Screenplay, Costume Design, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Original Score, Film Editing and Make-up and Hairstyling.

The Warner Bros Pictures project has become the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time and has crossed the $ 1 billion mark at the worldwide box office. In fact, the impact is deep as it has sparked conversation around mental health. A follow-up to the film is also in the works. Joker composer Hildur Guonadottir earned her first Oscar nomination and became one of only seven women in the award show's history to be nominated for Best Original Score.

"The 11 nominations for Joker makes me particularly proud, that the Academy members recognised so many for our work on this film and Todd's three nominations are the most exciting of all - it all starts with him." Fresh off his Golden Globe win, vegan actor Joaquin Phoenix was arrested at Jane Fonda’s climate crisis protest last Friday.

Academy Award-winning actor Jane Fonda has hosted weekly rallies, dubbed “Fire Drill Fridays,” in Washington D.C. since last October. The “Grace and Frankie” star introduced Phoenix as “one of the greatest living actors today” before inviting him to join her onstage.