History was made at the 92nd edition of the Academy Awards with South Korean satire, Parasite becoming the first film ever from the Asian country and the international film category to win Best Picture. The film by Bong Joon Ho, a satire of inequality, also won for best director, best international film and best screenplay, ahead of such favoured films like 1917, Once Upon a Time … In Hollywood, and The Irishman.
The film has already won many awards including the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival last year.
Industry stakeholders have been saying that Parasite‘s win is a watershed moment for the Academy Awards, which has long been content to relegate international films to their own category.
“I am ready to drink tonight,” Bong reportedly said, prompting roars from the crowd when he was called out the first time. Called up again for best director, he saluted his fellow nominees, particularly Martin Scorsese, and concluded: “Now I’m ready to drink until tomorrow.”
The hostless ceremony opened on a note of inclusion, with Janelle Monae performing A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and her own song, Come Alive, with help from Billy Porter.
Check the full list of winners here.