PARASITE Becomes First International Film To Win Best Picture At 92nd Academy Awards

By Movie Geeks | February 9, 2020

NEON’s film PARASITE made Oscar history by becoming the first foreign language film to win Best Picture during the 92nd Academy Awards. Nominated for six Oscars, the film walked away on Sunday night with four Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best International Feature and Best Original Screenplay.

Directed by Bong Joon Ho, PARASITE previously won the Palme d’Or at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival as well as top honors at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Cast.

Only 11 international feature films have ever been nominated in the Best Picture category. Bong Joon Ho became the first South Korean to ever win the best director Oscar.

During his acceptance speech he said, “When I was young and studying cinema, there was a saying that I carved deep into my heart, which is “the most personal is the most creative.” [In English] That quote was from our great Martin Scorsese. [Via translator:] 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. When people in the U.S. were not familiar with my film, Quentin always put my films on his list. He is here, thank you so much. [In English:] Quentin, I love you.

[Via translator:] And Todd and Sam, great directors that I admire. If the Academy allows, I would like to get a Texas chainsaw, split the Oscar trophy into five and share it with all of you. [In English:] Thank you, I will drink until next morning.”

Full list of winners from the 92nd Oscars.

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Joaquin Phoenix in “Joker”

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Brad Pitt in “Once upon a Time…in Hollywood”

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Renée Zellweger in “Judy”

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Laura Dern in “Marriage Story”

Best animated feature film of the year
“Toy Story 4” Josh Cooley, Mark Nielsen and Jonas Rivera

Achievement in cinematography
“1917” Roger Deakins

Achievement in costume design
“Little Women” Jacqueline Durran

Achievement in directing
“Parasite” Bong Joon Ho

Best documentary feature
“American Factory” Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert and Jeff Reichert

Best documentary short subject
“Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)” Carol Dysinger and Elena Andreicheva

Achievement in film editing
“Ford v Ferrari” Michael McCusker and Andrew Buckland

Best international feature film of the year
“Parasite” South Korea

Achievement in makeup and hairstyling
“Bombshell” Kazu Hiro, Anne Morgan and Vivian Baker

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
“Joker” Hildur Guðnadóttir

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
“(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from “Rocketman” Music by Elton John; Lyric by Bernie Taupin

Best motion picture of the year
“Parasite” Kwak Sin Ae and Bong Joon Ho, Producers

Achievement in production design
“Once upon a Time…in Hollywood” Production Design: Barbara Ling; Set Decoration: Nancy Haigh

Best animated short film
“Hair Love” Matthew A. Cherry and Karen Rupert Toliver

Best live action short film
“The Neighbors’ Window” Marshall Curry

Achievement in sound editing
“Ford v Ferrari” Donald Sylvester

Achievement in sound mixing
“1917” Mark Taylor and Stuart Wilson

Achievement in visual effects
“1917” Guillaume Rocheron, Greg Butler and Dominic Tuohy

Adapted screenplay
“Jojo Rabbit” Screenplay by Taika Waititi

Original screenplay
“Parasite” Screenplay by Bong Joon Ho, Han Jin Won; Story by Bong Joon Ho

Contributed by Michelle Hannett and Melissa Thompson