South Korea’s ‘Parasite’ becomes the first foreign-language best picture
In an evening when most of the winners seemed like foregone conclusion, the final award – best picture – remained very much in doubt until presenter Jane Fonda, after a long pause, said it: “Parasite.”
The first South Korean film ever nominated for Oscars, the drama about a clash between a wealthy family and their poor doppelgängers took home a total of four trophies, including the big one. That made writer/director/co-producer Bong Joon-ho a three-time winner on the evening (he also accepted “Parasite”’s international film prize but that award goes to the country that produced it). It’s the first film in a foreign language to win best picture in the 92-year history of Oscar (not counting “The Artist,” a French film that had almost no dialogue).
“I feel like a very opportune moment in history is happening right now,” said co-producer Sin-ae Kwa while the audience begged a reluctant Bong to return to the microphone to give what would have been his fourth speech of the night.
Renée Zellweger won best actress for “Judy,” in which she played Minnesota legend Judy Garland near the end of her brief life. A previous supporting actress winner for “Cold Mountain,” Zellweger was handed her award by Rami Malek, who won last year for playing another music legend, Freddie Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Her discursive speech noted that Garland mever received an Oscar (although she did get a special Oscar) but Zellweger included her on a list of “heroes” that also included Harriet Tubman, Serena Williams and another Minnesota legend, Bob Dylan.
Best actor Joaquin Phoenix, following in the heels of Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight,” became the second actor to win an Oscar for playing the Joker. Phoenix, who has used his Golden Globes, British Academy and other awards speeches as a platform to preach against injustice, went well over his 45-second limit, quoting his late brother, actor River Phoenix, and speaking about movies as “the opportunity to use our voice for the voiceless.”
Brad Pitt won best supporting actor for playing Leonardo DiCaprio’s stuntman in writer/director Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” It’s Pitt’s second Oscar, but his first for acting. (He was a co-producer of “12 Years a Slave.”) After chiding the U.S. Senate for the recently concluded impeachment trial, Pitt thanked stuntpeople, quoted his own character – “Look for the best in people. Expect the worst but look for the best.” – and thanked his also-nominated co-star, whom he has been joshing throughout an awards season in which his own wins became increasingly inevitable: “Leo, I’ll ride on your coattails any day, man. The view’s fantastic.”
Tarantino got lots of face time on the Oscar broadcast, also earning thanks from production designers for “Once Upon a Time” and playing along with Steve Martin and Chris Rock’s show-opening comedy segment.