Oscars 2022: Will Smith, Jessica Chastain win Best Actor, Best Actress; ‘CODA’ wins Best Picture

By AFP

HOLLYWOOD: Deaf household drama “CODA” gained greatest image honors on the Oscars Sunday, the primary ever triumph for a streamer, in a ceremony that was overshadowed by greatest actor-winner Will Smith putting comic Chris Rock on stage for making a joke about his spouse.

Tinseltown’s largest night time started with a efficiency by pop megastar Beyonce, and touched on politics with a second of silence over the Ukraine disaster.

But earlier than the ultimate awards have been handed out, the surprising Smith-Rock altercation went viral, and adjusted the temper of the night time.

“CODA”, a feel-good indie drama starring deaf actors in lead roles, had been presumed a longshot for Hollywood’s largest prize till very not too long ago, however pulled off a outstanding late surge to emerge triumphant. 

The movie bagged the historic prize for Apple TV+, a relative newcomer in a streaming market dominated by rivals like Netflix.

“Thank you to the Academy for letting our ‘CODA’ make history tonight,” stated producer Philippe Rousselet.

Taking its title from the acronym for baby of deaf grownup, the film additionally gained for greatest tailored screenplay, and greatest supporting actor for Troy Kotsur, who performs the daddy of a teenage woman who can hear and desires to pursue a profession in music.

Kotsur devoted his golden statuette to the deaf and disabled communities. “This is our moment,” he stated.

Jessica Chastain gained greatest actress for “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” during which she performed a real-life televangelist who grew to become an unlikely champion for the LGBTQ neighborhood.

“We’re faced with discriminatory and bigoted legislation that is sweeping our country… in times like this, I think of Tammy and I’m inspired by her radical acts of love,” she stated.

 ‘Art imitates life’ 
But Hollywood’s largest night time was dominated by a surprising second during which Smith — who gained greatest actor for his work on “King Richard” — slapped Rock on stage, earlier than returning to his seat alongside his spouse Jada Pinkett Smith and shouting profanities.

“Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth,” yelled Smith, forcing the producers to bleep out a number of seconds of audio from the televised broadcast within the United States.

Rock, presenting the perfect documentary prize, had in contrast Jada’s tightly cropped hair to Demi Moore’s look within the movie “G.I. Jane.” Jada suffers from alopecia, a situation inflicting hair loss. The second left shocked viewers questioning if it had been scripted or real. 

But when he returned to the stage to simply accept his award, a tearful Smith lamented “people disrespecting you” in Hollywood, and apologized to the Academy “and all my fellow nominees.”

Smith, who performs the daddy of tennis greats Serena and Venus Williams in “King Richard,” added: “Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams.”

 ‘Diverse characters’ 
Until not too long ago it had appeared that darkish, psychological Western “The Power of the Dog” was fated to earn Netflix its much-coveted first greatest image statuette.

As it turned out, the movie gained solely greatest director for Jane Campion. She is just the third girl to take action in Oscars historical past, only a 12 months after Chloe Zhao grew to become the second (“Nomadland”). Kathryn Bigelow was the primary for “The Hurt Locker.”

Kenneth Branagh’s childhood-inspired “Belfast” — one other presumed greatest image frontrunner — triumphed for greatest authentic screenplay.

Ariana DeBose gained greatest supporting actress for taking part in Anita in “West Side Story,” and Disney’s “Encanto” was named greatest animated function.

DeBose, who first made her identify on Broadway, celebrated her historic win for “an openly queer woman of color, an Afro-Latina.” Yvett Merino, producer of Colombia-set “Encanto,” stated she was “so proud to be a part of a film that put beautiful, diverse characters in front and center.”

“Summer of Soul” gained greatest documentary for musician Questlove’s first film in regards to the large “Black Woodstock” competition that happened in 1969 Harlem.

Japan’s “Drive My Car,” a Japanese arthouse movie based mostly on a brief story of the identical identify by Haruki Murakami, was named greatest worldwide movie.

Powerhouse music 
Beyonce started the televised broadcast together with her nominated tune from “King Richard,” from the Compton courts the place Serena and Venus educated as women. But the award for greatest authentic music went to Billie Eilish for her James Bond theme music “No Time to Die.”

In one other musical spotlight, viral sensation “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” was carried out dwell, with Megan Thee Stallion including an Oscars-themed verse to the “Encanto” hit music.

Hosts Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer and Regina Hall kicked off proceedings contained in the Dolby Theatre — the place the Oscars returned after a 12 months away because of the pandemic — with a gap skit that poked enjoyable at every little thing from sexism in Hollywood to Florida’s “Don’t say gay” invoice.

“This year, the Academy hired three women to host because it’s cheaper than hiring one man,” stated Schumer.

Sykes added: “We’re going to have a great night tonight. And for you people in Florida, we’re going to have a gay night.”

Sci-fi epic “Dune” ended the night time with probably the most wins, incomes six in craft and technical classes — greatest sound, rating, enhancing, manufacturing design, visible results and cinematography.

Devastation 
The annual “in memoriam” paid tribute to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was shot useless by Alec Baldwin in a tragic accident on the set of Western “Rust” final 12 months.

Recently deceased Hollywood greats additionally honored within the section included Sidney Poitier — the primary, and for a lot of many years, the one Black man to win greatest actor.

The gala held a second’s silence for Ukraine, whereas presenter Mila Kunis — who was born within the nation — stated it was “impossible not to be moved” by the resilience of “those facing such devastation.” Several attendees wore blue ribbons studying #WithRefugees.