It was a historic night at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood as the South Korean film Parasite pulled off an enormous upset. It won Best International Feature Film, which shocked nobody. The film also won Best Original Screenplay, what with its victory at the Writers Guild, was not as much as a shock as Bong Joon-ho winning Best Director on this fine evening in Los Angeles (the favorite was Sam Mendes for 1917).
Then, the biggest award of the night was set to be presented. Screen legend Jane Fonda took the stage and announced to the world that the winner for Best Picture was … Parasite!
It was a great announcement that world cinema had arrived and finally been saluted in America. The cheers you heard came from across the globe as anyone who aspires to do something with a camera suddenly felt a huge wave of inspiration that they matter. They’ve always mattered, let’s be real. But the point is winning the highest honor in the cinematic arts always seemed like a distant reality for thousands living in countries that don’t spell out U-S-A. Now, it’s possible. Anything is possible. Do not underestimate that aspect of tonight’s big awards show.
When it came to the acting categories, there were no shocks as Renee Zellweger, Laura Dern, Joaquin Phoenix and Brad Pitt took home their respective categories. Also, hardly a shock was the victory of Toy Story 4 as Best Animated Feature. A film made by folks other than Disney or Pixar has only won the top honor in that genre twice since 2007.
The song performances ran the gamut, including a surprise appearance by Eminem to belt out his Oscar winning smash Lose Yourself.
Of the nominated songs being performed, the highlight had to be Cynthia Erivo and her Stand Up from her Oscar nominated Harriet and Idina Menzel sharing the stage with a dozen other Elsas from across the globe as they sang Into the Unknown. Sense a theme here? Global unity through the art of film… and it was beautiful.
The 2020 Oscar winners:
- Best Picture: Parasite
- Actress in a Leading Role: Renée Zellweger, Judy
- Actor in a Leading Role: Joaquin Phoenix, Joker
- Directing: Parasite, Bong Joon Ho
- Original Song: “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from Rocketman, Music by Elton John and Lyric by Bernie Taupin
- Original Score: Joker, Hildur Guðnadóttir
- International Feature: Parasite, South Korea
- Makeup and Hairstyling: Bombshell
- Visual Effects: 1917
- Film Editing: Ford v Ferrari
- Cinematography: 1917, Roger Deakins
- Sound Mixing: 1917
- Sound Editing: Ford v Ferrari
- Actress in a Supporting Role: Laura Dern, Marriage Story
- Documentary Short Subject: Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)
- Documentary Feature: American Factory
- Costume Design: Little Women
- Production Design: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
- Live Action Short Film: The Neighbors’ Window
- Adapted Screenplay: Jojo Rabbit, Taika Waititi
- Original Screenplay: Parasite, Bong Joon Ho, Han Jin Won
- Animated Short Film: Hair Love
- Animated Feature Film: Toy Story 4
- Actor in a Supporting Role: Brad Pitt, Once upon a Time in Hollywood