A History-Making Night At The 2020 Oscars

When the nominations were announced for the 92nd Academy Awards, there was more than a little sense of disappointment. Once again, Oscars So White was back, with only one person of color in the acting race (Cynthia Erivo for Harriet). Eddie Murphy (Dolemite Is My Name), Lupita N’yongo (Us), and Jennifer Lopez (Hustlers), who received nominations for every major award except BAFTA, were just a few performers cited as snubs. Another topic of discussion was the complete shut out of women in the directing category, particularly Greta Gerwig, whose version of Little Womenreceived six nominations. Lulu Wang, Alma Har’el, and Melina Matsoukas are just a few of the women who also made critically acclaimed films this year.

The controversy was present all night. Chris Rock and Oscar Isaac made Oscars So White jokes. Natalie Portman wore a cape with the names of snubbed female directors embroidered on it. Despite all of the backlash, this year’s Oscars proved to be more monumental than most could have imagined.

Parasite’s Sweep

After the Palme d’Or win at Cannes, Parasite almost immediately became the film of the year for film fans across the world. Going into the ceremony, the film’s chances to win major categories had certainly gone up, with a SAG win for Best Ensemble, a WGA award, and an ACE Eddie Award. The film ended up winning four of its six nominations.

Predictably, the film won the award for Best International Feature, the first nomination and win for South Korea. The film also won Best Original Screenplay, the first non-English language film to do so since Pedro Almodóvar’s Talk To Her in 2002. Director Bong Joon-Ho was awarded Best Director, which was somewhat of a shocker considering Sam Mendes (1917) won at the DGA. And at the very end of the night, Jane Fonda presented Parasite with the top award.

Parasite’s win means a lot for the industry. As the first non-English language film to win Best Picture, it opens the door for the Academy Awards to embrace international cinema outside of a single designated category. American audiences seem to assume that films with subtitles will not speak to them, even though foreign directors embrace English language films (see Bong’s shoutout to Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino). This film and its wins are proof that cinema is universal, no matter what language it’s in. Many have also noted that the Academy embracing Parasite could help Asian-American actors who struggle to find roles and representation in Hollywood.

After Green Book’s win last year, people were ready for more disappointment. Although the Best Picture lineup was mostly strong, it was fairly predictable. The other front runners, 1917 and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, are strong films, but seemed like obvious choices. Like Moonlight, Parasite was the most critically acclaimed film, and it actually translated to a win. Now, even more viewers will be inclined to watch Parasite, Korean films, and non-English films in general.

Representation Outside of Acting

Taika Waititi made history as the first indigenous man and the first person of Maori descent to win an Oscar when he received Best Adapted Screenplay for Jojo Rabbit. He encouraged indigenous kids to pursue art, saying “We are the original storytellers, and we can make it here as well.”

Matthew A. Cherry and Karen Rupert Toliver took home Best Animated Short Film for Hair Love, which explores the relationship between a father and daughter and encourages the embracing of black hair. In their speech, both emphasized the importance of representation in media. Cherry also dedicated the award to Kobe Bryant, saying “May we all have a second act as great as his.”

Composer Hildur Guðnadóttir became the fourth woman in history to win Best Original Score for Joker. She is the first woman to win since the score categories were combined in 2000. She said, “To the girls, to the women, to the mothers, to the daughters who hear the music bubbling within, please speak up,” Overall, women were among the winners in eight of the non-gendered categories.

Sir Elton John, along with writing partner Bernie Taupin, was awarded his second Academy Award for Best Original Song for “I’m Gonna Love Me Again” from Rocketman, the biopic which largely explores John‘s struggle with his sexuality over the course of his life.

What Now?

Despite some big wins, there is still a big problem when it comes to the Academy and women. Only five women have ever been nominated for Best Director, and only Kathryn Bigelow has won. But it’s not just directing. Rachel Morrison remains the only woman to ever be nominated for Best Cinematography. Only three women have been nominated for Best Visual Effects. When Brie Larson, Gal Gadot, and Sigourney Weaver stepped onstage to introduce the first female conductor for the Oscars orchestra, Larson and Godot thanked Weaver for her portrayal of Ellen Ripley in the Alien series, which paved the way for female heroes. There’s a lot of work to do.

And of course, there is much work to do when it comes to people of color. It’s not just acting, either. Only six black directors have ever been nominated. Only three Asian editors have ever been nominated. Only four Latina women have ever been nominated for Best Actress. As Joaquin Phoenix talked about in his BAFTA speech, it is up to white people in the industry who benefit from privilege to understand systemic racism and hold themselves accountable.

Based on the opening number, it seems like The Academy is aware of their mistakes. Janelle Monae performed with backup singers dressed in costumes from films that weren’t nominated such as Midsommar and Queen and Slim. Billy Porter, in full Elton John attire, also joined her. While very entertaining, there was something about it that felt overcompensatory, as if the Academy wants to prove that they’re not what everyone accuses them of being. How much can they “celebrate” other movies and make self-aware jokes before actual change is implemented?

Conclusion

There was truly no better way for the night to wrap up than with Bong Joon-Ho and Parasite making history. He has now matched Walt Disney‘s record with most wins in a single ceremony. It is incredibly important to celebrate all of the history making, while also recognizing that there are more doors that need to be opened.