From Janelle Monáe’s callout performance to Parasite making history

We all look forward to the Oscars, be it for the predictions, the red carpet glamour or the actual ceremony. However, in recent years and with the meteoric rise of social media, people have openly called out the award-giving body for being so overwhelmingly white and male. #OscarsSoWhite protests eventually urged its leaders to make changes by expanding its foreign contingent and finally including POC stories by POC filmmakers.

There’s still so much to be done but Parasite’s win is definitely a step in the right direction. Who knows, maybe one day a Filipino film will make it to the Oscars. Until then, let’s enjoy the wins and best moments from this year’s ceremony. 

Janelle Monáe’s Callout Performance

The artist opened the Oscars and used the opportunity to send an important message: “I’m so proud to stand here as a black queer artist telling stories,” she said, before launching into a song-and-dance number. But the message didn’t end there, “From Dolemite to Parasite, it’s time to shine,” sang the artist, noting Eddie Murphy’s comeback film Dolemite Is My Name. Monáe  also mentioned Jordan Peele’s Us and Lorene Scafaria’s Hustlers during her opening act. 

Parasite Wins Best Picture

The genre-defying film on social warfare was the first foreign-language movie to win such a big award. Or should we say awards? Parasite also won for best director, best international film and best original screenplay.

Renée Zellweger Returns and Joaquin Phoenix Wins His First

This is definitely not the actress’ first rodeo (Renée Zellweger has bagged awards for Bridget Jones, Chicago and Cold Mountain in the past), but this is her first in six years for playing Judy in Judy Garland. Meanwhile, Joaquin Phoenix won best actor—his first!—for his unsettling performance as a deranged outcast turned Clown Prince of Crime in Joker. 

Best Supporting Roles Goes To…

As they say, there are no small parts, just small actors. Best supporting actor award went to Brad Pitt as a stuntman in Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood and best supporting actress went to Laura Dern for Netflix’s Marriage Story.

“There’s something missing? Vaginas?”

Was probably one of the most memorable dialogues of the night care of Chris Rock and Steve Martin. The pair took turns roasting the academy for overlooking the women in the directing category. 

Thankfully, there were wins for the women, most notably Hildur Gudnadottir, who took home best score for Joker and ended the 22-year streak of honoring just male composers. “To the girls, to the women, to the mothers, to the daughters who hear the music bubbling within—please speak up, we need to hear your voices,” she said. 

Little Women also received an Oscar for Jacqueline Durran’s period costume designs, so did Barbara Ling and Nancy Haigh for best production design for Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood. 

Where Is 1917?

It was a close race between 1917 and Parasite for best picture. But while the blockbuster war drama didn’t win in that category, it did bag three Oscars, including best cinematography for Roger Deakins.

Remembering the Black Mamba (and Mambacita)

Spike Lee arrived in a custom purple and gold Gucci tuxedo with “24” emblazoned on the lapels in honor of Kobe Bryant (and his daughter Gianna) who died in a helicopter crash just two weeks ago. 

What were your favorite moments? Did any of your bets win? Sound off in the comments section below!