'CODA' scripts history as Troy Kostur becomes 1st deaf man to win an Oscar; Jane Campion trumps Spielberg, finally, after 29 yrs

After the Covid-19 nudged sabbatical, Academy Awards rolled out its red carpet and Hollywood celebrities dressed in their best outfits came out for the award night in-person on Sunday (US time), and it seems neither they nor viewers in India were disappointed as lots of drama, touching moments, and stunning performances livened up the award show, which had been grappling in recent years to keep viewership.

The Academy Awards named this award season’s favourite film, the deaf family drama ‘CODA,’ Best Picture. This film also bags a streaming service Hollywood’s top award for the first time. 'CODA' may have started as an underdog this award season, but it has clearly come out on top.

‘CODA’ rode a wave of goodwill driven by its cast including Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur and Daniel Durant. Kotsur bagged the best supporting actor trophy and also became the first deaf man to win an Oscar. The win was an emotional moment for the actor, who delivered a heart-wrenching speech thanking his dad, whom he called his 'hero'. The 53-year-old also thanked his wife and daughter, whom he called his biggest fans.


Also Read | Oscars 2022 winners: 'CODA' bags Best Picture; Will Smith, Jessica Chastain win Best Actor, Best Actress. Here's the complete list

During the evening a lot of drama ensued after Will Smith took offense to a joke made by Chris Rock about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith and slapped him.

Will Smith, who went on to win the Best Actor award at Oscars 2022, during the event lodged a not-so-playful slap on presenter Chris Rock’s face, and although it was done with an animated gesture, as the F-word followed in Smith’s angry voice, many audience members present at the Dolby theatre including viewers at home were left wondering if it was a scripted act, done to offer a comical interlude at the Academy Awards or was it Smith reacting to Rock’s jibe at his wife.

As Chris Rock took the stage to introduce the Best Documentary feature, he made a joke about Smith’s wife and compared the actor’s wife Jada Pinkett-Smith to 'G.I. Jane' because of her bald head. For those of you who do not know, Pinkett-Smith had previously opened up about a hair loss condition which she suffers from, that causes the baldness.

After hearing Rock’s pass, Will Smith went onto the stage, and slapped the presenter. The ‘Men In Black’ actor then screamed twice at the top of his lungs "Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth,” and walked away.

While Rock tried to smile awkwardly after being slapped, his face grew serious in no time. The actor quickly made the announcement, and left the stage.

Smith, who plays Venus and Serena Williams' father in ‘King Richard,’ later in the show won best actor, his first Oscar. It meant Smith again took the stage shortly after what seemed likely to be one of the most infamous moments in Academy Awards history.

However, despite the awkward moment, during his acceptance speech, Smith apologised to everyone for his misbehaviour. "Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family," Smith said. He continued: “I'm being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people.” Smith also revealed the words of wisdom Washington told him: “At your highest moment, be careful because that’s when the devil comes for you.” Ultimately, the 'Men In Black' actor issued an apology. “Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father...But love will make you do crazy things,” he said in regret yet in defense.

The show otherwise had a fairly smooth run, and a few historical moments. Apart from Kostur making history, Ariana DeBose became the first Afro-Latina to win an Academy Award for supporting actress.

Jane Campion won the Oscar best director for ‘The Power of the Dog,’ which made her the first woman ever to be twice nominated in the category (previously for 1993’s ‘The Piano’), and only the third woman to win best director. It’s also the first time the directing award has ever gone to women in back-to-back years, after 'Nomadland' directed by Chloé Zhao, which won last year.

Best actress trophy went to Jessica Chastain. Chastain won for her empathetic portrayal of the televangelist Tammy Faye in ‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’. It is her first Oscar win. The award was presented by Anthony Hopkins.
There were several entertaining interludes to the award ceremony. Beyoncé started off the Oscars. After an introduction from Venus and Serena Williams, Beyoncé performed her ‘King Richard’ nominated song, ‘Be Alive,’ in an elaborately choreographed performance from a lime-colored, open-air stage in Compton, where the Williams sisters grew up.

After going without hosts for some years, this year the event was hosted by Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer and Regina Hall.

‘Encanto,’ a Disney chart-topper won best animated film. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who penned the film's hit songs, missed the ceremony after his wife tested positive for COVID-19. Ryusuke Hamaguchi's three-hour Japanese drama 'Drive My Car,' one of the year's most acclaimed films, won for best international film.

'Dune' got out to an early lead in those early awards, and it kept it through the night. Timothee Chalamet-starrer sci-fi epic 'Dune' based on Frank Herbert’s classic 1965 novel by the same name lifted six trophies at the Academy Awards and for all Chalamet fans, it is a moment to cherish as the man has stepped out on the Oscars red carpet sans a shirt, wearing a sequined Louis Vuitton blazer and complementary black pants with Cartier jewels.

The film got an early lead, winning for production design, editing, sound and for Hans Zimmer's score. Though it was not a favourite in the top awards category, 'Dune' — the biggest blockbuster of this year's 10 best-picture nominees — was widely expected to clean up in technical categories. However, beyond the technical awards, Greig Fraser won an Oscar for the Best Cinematography and the film also lifted the Best Visual Effects Oscar.