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Parasite becomes first ever foreign language film to win Best Picture Oscar

South Korean drama beat out First World War drama 1917 to win the evening's top prize

Jacob Stolworthy
Monday 10 February 2020 00:24 EST
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Oscars 2020: Parasite wins best picture as first foreign film to do so

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Parasite has become the first ever foreign language film to win Best Picture at the Oscars.

The South Korean drama won four awards in total – the most for any film at this year's ceremony.

Jane Fonda presented the award, which was expected to go to Sam Mendes’ First World War drama 1917, which won both the Golden Globe and Bafta trophy over the past month.

Hollywood stars jumped to their feet as the Parasite‘s cast and crew made their way to the stage to accept the award.

The producers described the victory as "a very opportune moment in history right now".

Earlier in the ceremony, the film won Best Original Screenplay, Best International Feature and Best Director for Bong Joon-ho in one of the biggest surprises of the night.

Parasite also beat Ford v Ferrari (AKA Le Mans '66), The Irishman, Jojo Rabbit, Joker, Little Women, Marriage Story and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Other winners at the 2020 ceremony included Brad Pitt, who delivered an emotional acceptance speech that saw him praise Leonardo DiCaprio and criticise the verdict of Trump's impeachment trial, while Laura Dern took home the prize for Best Supporting Actress.

As expected, Joaquin Phoenix won Best Actor for Joker following which he criticised inequality and paid tribute to his brother River Phoenix, who died in 1993.

Meanwhile, Olivia Colman had the audience in stitches before presenting Phoenix with his award.

Find a full list of the 2020 Oscar winners here.

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