Bong’s delight as Parasite claims historic Oscar win

South Korean film is first non-englishlanguage best picture

South Korean film Parasite has become the first non-english-language movie to win the best picture Oscar, in a significant upset for war film 1917.

The class satire by Bong Joon-ho also won best director, best original screenplay and best international feature, leaving Sir Sam Mendes emptyhanded, despite his success at both the Baftas and the Golden Globes.

Bong appeared stunned to win the directing prize, saying: “After winning best international feature, I thought I was done for the day and ready to relax.”

He quoted Martin Scorsese, saying: “When I was young and studying cinema, there was a saying that I carved deep into my heart: ‘What is the most personal is the most creative.’”

1917 did win for cinematography, with Roger Deakins taking home his second Oscar in three years. It also won for sound mixing and visual effects.

British hopefuls were shut out of the acting categories, with success for Joaquin Phoenix, Renee Zellweger, Laura Dern and Brad Pitt, but Sir Elton John did triumph in the original song category, winning alongside long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin for (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again for Rocketman.

Pitt won his first acting Oscar for his supporting role in Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood and took a swipe at the

Senate Republicans for refusing to allow the former national security adviser to testify in Trump’s impeachment trial.

He said: “They tell me I have only got 45 seconds, that is 45 seconds more than the Senate gave John Bolton this week.”

Dern got an early birthday present as she was named best supporting actress; the Marriage Story star turned 53 at midnight.

She said: “Some say never meet your heroes but I say, if you’re really blessed, you get them as your parents. I share this with my acting legends, Diane Ladd and Bruce Dern. You got game, I love you.”

Phoenix won the leading actor prize for Joker and used his impassioned speech to talk about equality rights.

He said: “I think at times we feel or are made to feel that we champion different causes. But for me, I see commonality. Whether we’re talking about gender inequality or racism or queer rights or indigenous rights or animal rights, we’re talking about the fight against injustice.”

Zellweger paid tribute to Judy Garland as she was named best actress for Judy, saying: “Miss Garland, you are certainly among the heroes who unite and define us. This is certainly for you.”

“What is the most personal is the most creative

AP. In his speech, Bong Joon-ho told the Los Angeles audience: “I will drink until next morning!”

Picture: PA. Laura Dern, left, and Renee Zellweger show off their awards.