Feb. 27, 2020
By Kevin Brasil
Staff Writer
Ninety-two years of Oscar history were broken on Feb. 9 when the South Korean drama/mystery “Parasite” took home six Academy Awards, one of them being in the category of Best Picture. This is the first foreign-language film to win in this category.
The film also won in the categories of Best Production Design, Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Foreign-Language Film and Best Original Screenplay. “Parasite” has attracted media attention because it goes against Hollywood’s norm of recognizing films that focus on white characters and have white producers. The movie’s seismic success came in the wake of the #OscarsSoWhite dissents of 2015 and 2016 in which Hollywood was criticized for sidelining minorities.
While “Parasite” won six major awards, it followed in the footsteps of the 2009 Best Picture Award winner “Slumdog Millionnaire,” which is also set in Asia. Neither of these films took home any acting awards, despite their otherwise fruitful Oscar wins.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Parasite” cost $11 million to make and had grossed $167 million worldwide as of Feb. 10.
“Parasite” has attracted media attention because it goes against Hollywood’s norm of recognizing films that focus on white characters and have white producers.
“Parasite” focuses on characters who lack wealth but outmaneuver the wealthy. In the movie, the battling Kim family utilizes an assortment of subterfuges to land positions working for the well-off Park family.
The wins this film received are a step in the right direction for diversifying the Oscars. Nonetheless, Cynthia Erivo fell short of taking home the award for Best Actress for her portrayal of black abolitionist Harriet Tubman in “Harriet.” Instead, the award went to Renée Zellweger for her depiction of actress, singer and dancer Judy Garland.
The Oscars still need more diversity, but the success of “Parasite” signifies progress. This film proves that the Best Picture film can emerge from anyplace. And in a post-“Parasite” world, hopefully, the little guys in the film industry will get a lot more attention.
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