Hacksaw Ridge, Mel Gibson, and Andrew Garfield nominated for Academy Awards

Gibson's film about religious-freedom among those nominated for Best Picture

Hollywood appears to have finally forgiven Mel Gibson by featuring him and his movie in this year’s Academy Awards. Announced on Tuesday, the nominations for 89th Academy Awards are out and the list has a few surprises.

Hacksaw Ridge, a movie that features the story of Desmond Doss, a Seventh-Day Adventist and conscientious objector who saved numerous lives in the midst of a heavy battle during WWII, received a surprising six nominations. This came during a year when Mel Gibson’s past sins were highly scrutinized and his recent conversion closely examined.

Another religious film, Martin Scorsese’s Silence, also received some recognition, though only one nomination for Best Cinematography. Andrew Garfield, who starred in both Hacksaw Ridge and Silence, was nominated for his moving portrayal of Desmond Doss in Hacksaw Ridge.

However, the film everyone is talking about this year is La La Land, hauling in a total of 14 nominations, including Best Picture.

This year’s Oscars will take place on February 26 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.