“CODA,” a film about a deaf family with a hearing daughter, has received the Academy Award for Best Picture.
“CODA,” a film about a deaf family with a hearing daughter, has received the Academy Award for Best Picture.
CODA’s triumph on Sunday was the first time a streaming service had won the film industry’s most prestigious award.
Apple TV+ released “CODA,” which beat off Netflix’s “The Power of the Dog” and other traditional Hollywood studio submissions.
The prize was handed by Lady Gaga and Liza Minnelli to the film, which follows a teenage Ruby – who can hear – as she juggles persuing her musical dreams with her family’s need on her to communicate.
“I truly want to thank the academy for honouring a film about love and family at this tough moment that we need today,” producer Patrick Wachsberger said on stage.
Despite being one of the few films nominated (just three as of Sunday), “CODA” managed to win the prized award. A film hasn’t won best picture with less than four nominations since 1932’s “Grand Hotel.”
Earlier in the evening, the 94th Academy Awards were shaken when Will Smith, the best actor winner, smacked presenter Chris Rock onstage over a joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Rock made a reference to Demi Moore’s bald head in the 1997 film “G I Jane.”
read more: Will Smith slaps Chris Rock in the face on the Oscars stage Over Joke on wife Jada Pinkett Smith
In a what looked to be a scripted prank as Smith smacked Rock. But later audience were in shock when Smith yelled back, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f**king lips.”
During the live broadcast on Walt Disney Company’s ABC in the United States, the remark was muted.
Smith later apologised to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and his fellow candidates as he emotionally won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Venus and Serena Williams’ father in “King Richard.”
“Art imitates life. I look like the insane parent,” he stated. “Just as they said about Richard Williams.”
Jessica Chastain won best actress for her role as TV preacher Tammy Faye Bakker In “The Eyes of Tammy Faye.”
Jane Campion received the Oscar for best director for her dark Western “Power of the Dog” in other awards.
Campion is just the third woman to win best director, having previously been nominated twice in the category (for “The Piano” in 1993). After “Nomadland” filmmaker Chloe Zhao won last year, this is the first time the directing award has gone to a woman in back-to-back years.
Troy Kotsur became the first deaf person to win an Oscar for his part in “CODA,” winning best supporting actor.
Frank Rossi, played by Kotsur, is the father of an adolescent who is trying to aid her family’s fishing company while pursuing her own musical dreams.
“It’s incredible to be a part of this adventure. “I can’t believe I’m here,” Kotsur said as he won the award for best supporting actor in a rousing speech performed in sign language.
He dedicated his award to the deaf and disadvantaged people. “This is our chance,” he said.
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