A recap of the 92nd Academy Award winners, singing performances and memorable speeches
With “Parasite” making history for the Academy and “JoJo Rabbit” director Taika Waititi receiving a surprise Oscar for best adapted screenplay, the 92nd Oscars were once again hostless and memorable.
“Parasite” became the first foreign film to win Best Picture and the first movie from South Korea to even be nominated for the award. The movie beat out strong competitors that included “1917,” “Joker” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” The lights dimmed down as the “Parasite” crew gave their speech, but the crowd cheered on the cast to finish their Oscar speech in a show of support.
“I’m speechless. We never imagined this to ever happen,” said “Parasite” producer Kwak Sin Ae. “We are so happy. I feel like a very opportune moment in history is happening now.”
“Parasite” director Bong Joon-ho also won best director and best original screenplay. While accepting his award for best director, he paid tribute to Martin Scorsese who gave him inspiration throughout his movie-making career.
“The most personal is the most creative,” Joon-ho said. “When I was in school I studied Martin Scorsese’s films. Just to be nominated was a huge honor. I never thought I would win.”
The singing performances throughout the night were also quite the spectacle, with Eminem gracing the Oscar stage, Janelle Monáe opening the night with a fiery performance and Billie Eilish singing in a memorial performance.
The memorial part of the Oscar paid tribute to everyone who had passed within the year including Kobe Bryant, Kirk Douglas and numerous others who left their mark on the film industry. Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas sang a sorrowful rendition of the Beatles’ “Yesterday.”
Monáe’s performance stood up for others who had been overlooked in the Oscars. She celebrated stories in film and female directors through a shout out during her number. Billy Porter also showed up alongside Monáe to serenade the crowd with a medley of songs.
Eminem also took the Oscar stage with the performance of his Oscar-winning song, “Lose Yourself” from the 2002 movie “8 Mile.” The performance was 18 years in the making, according to the singer.
“Frozen 2” was celebrated through Idina Menzel’s performance of “Into the Unknown.” The musical showcase displayed various dub actors from across the world who played a part in making “Frozen 2” reach a global audience.
Joaquin Phoenix paid homage to his late brother River Phoenix during his victory speech. He pointed out the importance for those in attendance to be a voice for the voiceless and to champion for inequality. He quoted his brother before leaving the stage on the verge of tears, saying, “Run to the rescue with love, and peace will follow.”
Other winners included Brad Pitt who received his first acting Oscar for best supporting actor, Laura Dern for best supporting actress, and Renee Zellweger for best actress. “Toy Story 4” took home the best animated movie, the animated short film Oscar went to Hair Love, and best original song went to Paramount’s “Rocketman.”
The night was a celebration of storytelling from around the globe, since “Hair Love” normalized black hair and “Parasite” expanded the influence that foreign films can have in the realm of Hollywood. The bottom line was that the movies honored by the Academy, the actors who starred in them and their audiences were brought together at the 92nd Oscars.