Asian Women Take Home Big Awards Making Oscars History

Chloe Zhao became the first Asian woman to win best director at the Oscars, and the second woman ever to do so. 

The 93rd Oscars were held April 25 and with Zhao and her work already winning a combined two Golden Globes, four Critics Choice Awards, and two BAFTAs, this year it was not a big surprise when Zhao’s film, “Nomandland,” took home big awards. 

On Sunday, Zhao won best picture and best director. Frances McDormand also won best actress for her performance in “Nomandland.” 

In 93 years of the Oscars, Zhao is only the second woman to win best director and the first Asian woman to take home the award. Kathryn Bigelow won best director in 2012 for her film “The Hurt Locker.” 

“I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how I keep going when things get hard, and I think it goes back to something I learned when I was a kid,” Zhao said in her acceptance speech. 

Best supporting actress went to Yuh Jung-Youn for her role in “Minari,” which won a Golden Globe for best motion picture in a foriegn language. This was Jung-Youn’s first appearance in an American film. 

“When I was growing up in China my Dad and I used to play this game we would memorize classic Chinese poems and texts.” Zhao continued, “And we would recite it together and try to finish each other’s sentences.” 

Their wins come just three days after the U.S. Senate approved legislation to improve law enforcement efforts to better protect Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders from hate crimes. 

“And there’s one that I remember so dearly, it’s called the three character classics.” Zhao then spoke in Chinese before offering a translation. “People at birth are inherently good.” 

Zhao and Jung-Youn’s wins are historic for the Asian American community when hate crimes have been on the rise. According to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, Asian-American hate crimes in America’s largest 16 cities have increased 146% in 2020. 

“Those six letters had such an impact on me when I was a kid and I still truly believe them today. Even though sometimes it might seem like the opposite is true.” Zhao continued, “But I have always found goodness in the people I’ve met everywhere in the world.” 

Other big wins were Daniel Kaluuya, who took home an Oscar for best supporting actor for his rule in “Judas and the Black Messiah.” Kaluuya also won a Golden Globe, Critic’s Choice, SAG award and a BAFTA for best supporting actor. 

Anthony Hopkins won best actor for his performance in “The Father,” which also won best adapted screenplay. Hopkins won best actor over the late Chadwick Boseman who many predicted would win the title. 

Boseman was favored to win, already having won a Golden Globe, Critic’s Choice and SAG award for best actor for his performance in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” earlier in April. 

Additionally, the Oscars moved best actor to the last award given of the night when historically best picture is saved for last, which increased the anticipation of awarding the best actor winner. 

The Oscars also announced that all Academy Award nominees would receive a one-of-a-kind digital artwork of Boseman, redeemable with a NFT, a digitable form of art also known as a non-fungible token. 

While Hopkins won over Boseman, Hopkins did acknowledge Boseman during a recorded post-show acceptance video on his social media.  

“I want to pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman, who was taken from us far too early. And again, thank you all very much. I really did not expect this.” said Hopkins.