Missed the Oscars? Here is everything you need to know!
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held the 92nd Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 9, in Los Angeles. The South Korean film, Parasite, was the night’s big winner — the film won four awards, including those for Best Picture, Directing, International Feature Film and Writing (Original Screenplay). Parasite became the first Korean film to win an Oscar, as well as the first foreign language film to win Best Picture.
Writer and director Bong Joon Ho accepted all four awards for Parasite and thanked his fellow directing nominees, Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese for their inspiration. Bong even quoted Scorsese in his acceptance speech saying, “When I was young and studying cinema, there was a saying that I carved deep into my heart, which is, the most personal is the most creative.”
Many have criticized the Academy in recent years for often awarding similar types of films with Best Picture year after year, which makes Parasite’s win even more surprising, despite it being arguably the most universally loved film of the year.
Heading into the ceremony, 1917 was the presumptive favorite to win the top prize but still came away with wins for Cinematography, Visual Effects, and Sound Editing. Despite leading all films with 11 nominations, Joker won only two, including Joaquin Phoenix for Actor in a Leading Role. Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood and Ford v Ferrari each won two awards.
Janelle Monáe opened the ceremony by singing a medley which included “Won’t You be My Neighbor,” “Come Alive,” and “I’m Still Standing.” The artists nominated for Best Original Song each performed live onstage, including Cynthia Erivo, Idina Menzel and Sir Elton John. Along with songwriter, Bernie Taupin, John took home the award.
Along with the current nominees, Eminem made a surprise appearance to perform his Academy Award-winning song from 2002, “Lose Yourself.” For the “In Memoriam” tribute, Billie Eilish performed a cover of “Yesterday,” as the Academy honored those who have passed away, including Doris Day, Kirk Douglas and Kobe Bryant.
Throughout the ceremony, presenters consistently called out the Academy for a lack of diversity among the top-tier candidates. Of the twenty acting nominees, all but two were white. All of the directing nominees were male, leaving some feeling that Greta Gerwig (Little Women) had been undeservedly snubbed from a nomination in that category.
Renée Zellweger, Laura Dern, and Brad Pitt were the other winners in the various acting categories. Toy Story 4 took home the prize for Animated Feature Film and Jojo Rabbit won for Writing (Adapted Screenplay). Scorsese’s epic mobster film, The Irishman, was nominated for 10 awards but left empty-handed.
For more coverage of the year in film, check out our Top 10 films of 2019 here.
Full List of Winners:
Best Picture: Parasite
Actor in a Leading Role: Joaquin Phoenix, Joker
Actress in a Leading Role: Renée Zellweger, Judy
Actor in a Supporting Role: Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood
Actress in a Supporting Role: Laura Dern, Marriage Story
Animated Feature Film: Toy Story 4
Cinematography: 1917
Costume Design: Little Women
Directing: Bong Joon Ho, Parasite
Documentary (Feature): American Factory
Film Editing: Ford v Ferrari
International Feature Film: Parasite
Makeup and Hairstyling: Bombshell
Music (Original Score): Joker
Music (Original Song): “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again,” Rocketman
Production Design: Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood
Sound Editing: Ford v Ferrari
Sound Mixing: 1917
Visual Effects: 1917
Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Jojo Rabbit
Writing (Original Screenplay): Parasite
Documentary (Short Subject): Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)
Short Film (Animated) Hairlove
Short Film (Live Action): Nefta Football Club