“Parasite” Dominates the 92nd Academy Awards

South Korean hit makes history with four Oscar statues

It was the best of speeches, it was the worst of speeches.

At once, the 92nd Academy Awards saw some of the most articulate and inspiring elocutions, but also some of the most scattered and distasteful spiels to ever grace the silver screen.

Perhaps the most moving and memorable speech of the night was that of Bong Joon Ho, director of the knockout South Korean film “Parasite,” which took home four Oscars, including the coveted Best Picture award.

Tying with Walt Disney for the most wins in a single night, Bong spoke several times throughout the evening. 

Though he delivered important speeches for his Best Screenplay trophy, which marked South Korea’s first Oscar, and Best International Feature, it was his speech for Best Director that felt most sentimental.

“The most personal is the most creative,” Bong said, bringing fellow director Martin Scorsese to tears of pride as he revealed that the quote he treasured came from the older director.

At this moment, the cameras shifted over to a visibly moved Scorsese, whose face fell into his hands, overcome with surreal gratitude and perhaps even disbelief.

Bong also thanked esteemed director Quentin Tarantino for recognition and support before anyone else knew who he was.

Throughout his entire speech, Bong made it clear the magnitude of the award and his place in history were not lost on him.

Although he spoke through a translator, Bong communicated his sincerity and appreciation better than some native English speakers. All in all, Bong stole all of the awards along with our hearts.

The transition between Bong’s thoughtful reflections and Joaquin Phoenix’s fervent speech was like night and day. 

Phoenix, who has a history of disdaining gaudy Hollywood award ceremonies, won his first Oscar for his role as the damaged clown in “Joker,” and he made peace with the ceremony, turning his acceptance speech into an avenue for activism.

Some found Phoenix’s comments about animal rights to be inappropriate and rambly—his particularly graphic description of the harvesting of cow’s milk specifically disturbed the audience, as he detailed forced insemination of female cows and the robbing of their calves. 

Phoenix unleashed a vehement, trembling appeal for social change upon his unsuspecting audience. His oration detailed his thoughts on climate change, systematic racism and the universal goodness of all cinematic performances. 

And of course, Phoenix thanked the film industry for giving him the blessed life he has. He also called upon the audience to use their public platforms to “give voice to the voiceless.”

It was clear this moment was the culmination of Phoenix’s past awards speeches and it demonstrated his deep discomfort with award shows in general. Despite this, Phoenix delivered a powerful speech that transformed the meaning of the Oscars, all without sounding ungrateful for the major award he received. 

Television critics have contended that Phoenix should have taken a note from his colleague Hildur Guðnadóttir, the composer of “Joker.” 

When Guðnadóttir won the award for Best Original Score, becoming the first female composer to win since 1997, she was brief and simple. 

“To the girls . . . who hear the music bubbling within—please speak up,” she said. “We need to hear your voices.”

Powerful and to the point, and no explicit animal imagery necessary. 

On a night with no female nominations for Best Director and the historic, unprecedented victory of a foreign film winning Best Picture, Phoenix’s speech highlighted the complexities of social change; it is not linear and does not happen overnight.

Still, Phoenix ended his speech with a positive, yet emotional note about spreading love and finding peace, based on a lyric from his deceased brother, the often-mourned River Phoenix.

Whether you were offended or inspired by Phoenix’s speech, the Oscars bring together movie-lovers across the world. In recent years, however, the Oscars have become a method of political and social action. 

This shift has been met with applause and apathy, but it inevitably comes with a changing, more conscious society.