The 92nd Academy Awards: Parasite Makes History in Film Awards

Bong Joon Ho's film Parasite achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first non-English-language film to win the Best Picture award at the Academy Awards. This recognition marked a significant shift in the film industry, highlighting the increasing acceptance and appreciation of international cinema within mainstream Hollywood. Parasite's success was not limited to the Best Picture category; Bong Joon Ho also secured the Best Director award, further emphasizing the film's critical acclaim. The competition for Best Picture included notable films such as 1917, Ford v Ferrari, Joker, Jojo Rabbit, Little Women, Marriage Story, and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, showcasing a diverse range of storytelling and cinematic styles. In addition to its Best Picture and Best Director wins, Parasite also received awards for Original Screenplay and International Feature Film, solidifying its status as a groundbreaking work. The film's narrative, which explores themes of class struggle and social inequality, resonated with audiences worldwide, contributing to its global box office success. The Academy Awards ceremony also recognized other outstanding performances, with Joaquin Phoenix winning Best Actor for his role in Joker, Renée Zellweger taking home Best Actress for Judy, and Brad Pitt and Laura Dern winning in the supporting categories for their performances in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood and Marriage Story, respectively. The event celebrated the artistry of film, including a medley of classic film scores, further underscoring the cultural significance of cinema. • Conducted without a host. • Best Picture & Director: Bong Joon Ho’s South Korean satire Parasite made history as the first non‑English‑language film to win Best Picture; Bong also won Best Director. Other nominees were 1917, Ford v Ferrari, Joker, Jojo Rabbit, Little Women, Marriage Story and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. • Acting awards: Joaquin Phoenix won Best Actor for Joker, Renée Zellweger won Best Actress for Judy, Brad Pitt won Supporting Actor (Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood) and Laura Dern won Supporting Actress (Marriage Story). • Other highlights: Pixar’s Toy Story 4 won Animated Feature; Bong’s film Parasite also won Original Screenplay and International Feature Film. The ceremony celebrated classic film scores with a medley.