Iran Press/America: Chloé Zhao became the first woman of color to win for directing for “Nomadland,” and Yuh-Jung Youn won the best supporting actress for “Minari,” The New York Times reported.
Chloé Zhao on Sunday became the first woman of color, first Chinese woman and second woman ever to win the Oscar for directing, capping off a historically impressive run of honors she has amassed this awards season for her work on the drama “Nomadland.”
‘Nomadland’ wins best picture
Before Sunday, you might have known Chloé Zhao as the director of Marvel's upcoming Eternals, but now she's the Oscar-winning director of Marvel's upcoming Eternals. Zhao just won best director at the 2021 Oscars, beating Emerald Fennell and David Fincher, among others. The victory makes her the first woman of color to take home the award, and only the second woman in the Academy's 92-year history, after Kathryn Bigelow for 2008's The Hurt Locker.
"This is for anyone who has the faith and the courage to hold on to the goodness in themselves, and to hold on to the goodness in each other, no matter how difficult is to do that," Zhao said. "You inspire me to keep going. Thank you."
The film that landed her the achievement: Nomadland, a contemplative drama set in America's Midwest that also won best picture. It follows Fern -- played by Frances McDormand -- a woman who loses her job in the Great Recession and goes wandering. Taking odd jobs, meeting nomads and living in a transient community.
Frances McDormand wins her third best-actress Oscar
The academy named Frances McDormand best actress for her performance in “Nomadland,” playing a widow who leaves her failed town for van life and meets other Americans in similar straits.
This is her third Oscar: she won best actress in 1997 for her turn as a small-town police chief in “Fargo,” and again in 2018 for her performance as the mother seeking justice in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” That win was especially notable for her acceptance speech calling on Hollywood to use inclusion riders, contract clauses ensuring diversity in front of and behind the camera.
Anthony Hopkins shocks by winning best actor over Chadwick Boseman
Anthony Hopkins, who won a best actor Oscar almost three decades ago, received another on Sunday, denying the late Chadwick Boseman a prize many thought would go to him posthumously. In a twist this year, the best actor award was the last one of the evening, resulting in an abrupt end to the ceremony, given that Hopkins was not in attendance.
Yuh-Jung Youn becomes the first Korean woman in Oscar history to win best supporting actress
After the Korean actress Yuh-Jung Youn’s delightfully hilarious BAFTA acceptance speech earlier this month, the Academy gave the 73-years-young “Minari” grandmother the chance to deliver another Sunday night when it selected her as its best supporting actress. It is the first time a Korean actress has ever won an acting Oscar.
‘Soul’ continues Pixar’s dominance in awards season
“Soul,” the Pixar story of an aspiring jazz musician hovering between life and death, was named best animated feature, a win that was expected even though “Wolfwalkers,” a Celtic fantasy from the Irish studio Cartoon Saloon, had its partisans.
“Soul,” directed by Pete Docter, had racked up wins all season long, continuing Pixar’s dominance at awards time. This is the studio’s 11th Oscar for best animated feature since the category was introduced in 2002.
214
Read More:
Oscar Nominations 2021: "Mank" leads with 10 nods
Iranian film 'The Sun' among top 10 in Oscars 2021
