There were many big winners at the 92nd Academy Awards, some expected and some delightfully unexpected. The expected awards were generally the ones handed out to the actors, with all four winners being a mainstay through this awards season. Joaquin Phoenix, Renée Zellweger, Brad Pitt, and Laura Dern have effectively swept nearly all of the major award shows, from the Golden Globes to the Critics Choice. I can’t say I’m surprised by the Academy following suit, even though I do wish that Florence Pugh pulled off a win after being snubbed for Midsommar. Also, four-time Oscar loser Saoirse Ronan definitely deserves better.
Despite the night being filled with expected choices, there was still a huge winner of the night that very few confidently saw coming. This is all attributed to one film: Bong Joon-ho’s genre-bending masterpiece Parasite. Parasite’s history changing night included taking home four major awards, including Best Picture. This choice is so out-of-character for the Academy, with the former year’s winner being the forgettable Green Book. Parasite became the first ever foreign language film to take home the award show’s top prize. This is an achievement that has the potential to shift how American viewers perceive and respect internationally made films.
In a ceremony that historically carries a reputation of exclusion and lacking diversity, Parasite’s win is an important breath of fresh air. This victory can steer us towards acknowledging and rewarding stories that give us new perspectives beyond what we already know. In light of this win, we cannot forget that there still needs to be many changes involving how Hollywood prioritizes cinema. It is crucial that we award recognition to female filmmakers, queer filmmakers, black filmmakers, indigenous filmmakers, Asian filmmakers, and any filmmakers that don’t fit the typical white male mold. Once the academy gives equal platforms for all types of films and storytellers, we can truly celebrate systemic growth. The subtitles really aren’t so bad, huh?
Emma at the Movies 