Parasite wins best picture Oscar, completing stunning night for Bong Joon-ho’s darkly comic satire

Korean writer-director pulls off a double shock, winning best picture – the first time a foreign-language film has won – and best director Oscars for Parasite

His film earlier became the first Korean film to win the best international feature prize, formerly best foreign film, and won best original screenplay

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Bong Joon-ho reacts as he is presented with the Oscar for best picture for Parasite by actress Jane Fonda at the Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Looking on from left is the film’s star Song Kang-ho. Photo: AP

Published: 10:20am, 10 Feb 2020Updated: 11:58am, 3 May 2021

South Korean satire Parasite made Oscars history in Los Angeles on Sunday, beating strong competition to win the coveted best picture Academy Award and completing a stunning night for its director Bong Joon-ho. It was the first foreign-language film to win in the Oscars’ best picture category.

“I’m speechless,” said the film’s producer Kwak Sin-ae when the Parasite cast and crew members took the stage to receive the award.

“We’ve never imagined that this would ever happen,” Kwak said through an interpreter. “We are so happy. I feel like a very opportune moment in history is happening right now. I express my deepest gratitude and respect to all the members of the Academy for making this decision.”

Bong earlier pulled off a surprise win, snatching the best directing prize for his darkly comic class satire, to go with Oscars for best international feature and best original screenplay, at the 92nd Academy Awards ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Parasite producers Bong Joon-ho (left), also the film’s director, and Kwak Sin-ae celebrate after winning the award for best picture for Parasite at the Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood. Photo: AFP

Bong topped a prestigious nominees’ list that included Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Todd Phillips and Sam Mendes.

“Thank you,” the director said with a chuckle after receiving the award on stage from the hands of Spike Lee. “After winning best international feature, I thought I was done for today and was ready to relax. Thank you so much.”