The film “Sinners” has made history ahead of the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, earning a record-breaking 16 nominations. Two University of California alumni, Sev Ohanian and Autumn Durald Arkapaw, played key roles in the film’s success and are expected to attend the ceremony as nominees.
The significance of “Sinners” extends beyond its awards tally. The film highlights the creative impact of UC graduates in Hollywood and brings attention to underrepresented stories through its unique blend of horror, music, and cultural themes.
Ohanian, a UC San Diego alumnus and producer on “Sinners,” credits his education for shaping his approach to filmmaking. “My work challenges mainstream notions of storytelling and filmmaking. UC San Diego and the Visual Arts Department were part of my foundational education in filmmaking,” he said. Ohanian described his role as a creative producer: “Producers are involved in just about every decision that goes into making a movie, both creative and otherwise… Our boss is also the audience that will one day (hopefully) watch our film and we want to do the best work for them.” He added that working on films like “Fruitvale Station” and “Judas and the Black Messiah” prepared him for this moment.
Autumn Durald Arkapaw, nominated for cinematography after taking a UCLA Extension course early in her career, is only the fourth woman ever nominated in this category at the Oscars. If she wins, she would be the first woman to receive this honor.
Ohanian shared insights into making “Sinners,” including filming challenges in Louisiana’s swamps standing in for 1930s Mississippi. He explained how music became central to the story: “Ryan’s inspiration for the movie was his late great Uncle James — the oldest man he knew in his family — who often played blues music to him as a kid… We invited blues musicians to help us compose, write and perform all the original songs in the movie.” He emphasized their intent to create value for viewers: “We value our audience and packed every frame of the movie with meaning and intent. But my advice to viewers is to have fun… there’s also plenty presented right in front of you, so enjoy it.”
Reflecting on receiving 16 nominations, Ohanian said: “I think that the fact that audiences appreciate the movie, that critics recognize the film, and that these incredible awards committees have honored the movie in the way they have, just gives me optimism that we can make more movies like this. Especially original movies like ‘Sinners,’ rooted in culture and often overlooked subjects. To me, that’s the prize. That in and of itself is the award.”
