Twitter Reactions as Parasite Makes History at the Oscars
This year’s Oscars marks an important milestone for foreign language films, as Parasite took home four awards on the night, including the best picture. Bong Joon-ho’s comedy-horror-satire-thriller also came out tops for best director, best original screenplay and best international film.
Some of the #Parasite team crew didn’t even go up on stage and stayed celebrating crying at their seats. This is so emotional, such humility. There were so many ppl involved creating this masterpiece & they all deserve recognition, much respect! #Oscars
pic.twitter.com/eeQ7aJxX3n— ✖️DALI VAN MINO✖️ (@BabyBearLovesTy) February 10, 2020
Sam Mendes’s 1917 had been tipped for the night’s biggest prize, especially after their win in this year’s BAFTAs and Golden Globes. Parasite also defeated Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Jojo Rabbit, Joker, Ford v Ferrari, Marriage Story, Little Women and The Irishman to the best picture.
“I feel like a very opportune moment in history is happening right now.” The cast and crew of #Parasite take the stage to accept their historic best picture win at the #Oscars https://t.co/arhS7D5Qfq Watch the full speech: pic.twitter.com/zOhfPEb2gg
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 10, 2020
This historic occasion marks the first time in 65 years that the winner of Cannes’s highest award, the Palme d’Or, has progressed to a best picture at the Oscar. The only other time this happened was in 1955, with Marty.
As for the best director, Bong paid tribute to Scorsese in his speech, saying that, when he was young, he “carved deep into my heart” a quote by Scorsese: “The most personal is the most creative.”
Find yourself a friend who hyping you up like Song Kang Ho hype Bong when he receive his best director! #Oscars #Parasite
— KIM JONGDAE CONGRATS FOR YOUR WEDDING (@danielayaman) February 10, 2020
According to NBC News, Boon also joins Walt Disney as the only person to win 4 awards at the Oscars, a record that was set in 1953. Prior to this, Parasite was only the 11th foreign-language film to have been nominated for the Academy’s top prize, with Netflix’s Roma coming closest to winning it in last year’s Oscars.
History made. #Parasite #Oscars pic.twitter.com/t3jknn10iP
— Parasite Gifs (@ParasiteGifs) February 10, 2020
The Academy came under heavy fire in 2019 as Alfonso Cuaron’s autobiographical drama was pipped to the top prize by Green Book, a film that was heavily criticised as it upheld the white savior narrative, a trend that would perhaps pass in the 1960s instead of 2019.
Therefore, Parasite’s success in the 92nd edition of the Oscar is seen as a massive triumph for diversity in today’s cinema. “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films,” said Boon after winning the award for best foreign-language film.
Language is a core expression of identity. Subtitles do not divide or disqualify – they’re gateways into incredible stories you might have otherwise never known.
Tonight I heard the language of my family on the Oscars stage. 🇰🇷 I can’t wait to hear many, many more… #Parasite pic.twitter.com/rqFdQwX4t4
— Eugene Lee Yang (@EugeneLeeYang) February 10, 2020
That caps off a historic day for the cast and crew of Parasite. If you’re wondering what the South Korean team would be up to, here’s an insight:
#Parasite director and writer Bong Joon-ho won big at tonight’s #Oscars, with the South Korean film taking home four awards! He talked to @joshuahorowitz on the red carpet about the “surreal” experience, and his plans for after the show: “We’re gonna go drinking” 😂 pic.twitter.com/qVxu7ZB23b
— MTV NEWS (@MTVNEWS) February 10, 2020
As for those who missed out this masterpiece, head to selected GSC, TGV, Emperor and Superstar Cinemas for a limited-time screening in Malaysia.