In every regard, CODA’s huge win at the 94th Academy Awards is historic. The film took home three major honours on the night: Best Film, Best Supporting Actor for Troy Kotsur (who is deaf), and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Sian Heder wrote and directed the film, which is an English version of the French film La Famille Belier from 2014.
The film follows Ruby Rossi (Emilia Jones), a deaf woman who strives to find a balance between her personal life and her family’s fishing business.
Apart from the Oscar award, Actor Will Smith stormed the Oscars stage after he punched comedian Chris Rock in the face for making a joke about his wife, in a moment that went viral and left astonished spectators wondering whether it was staged or genuine.
Rock had cracked a joke comparing Jada Pinkett Smith’s sharply cropped hair to Demi Moore’s appearance in the film “G.I. Jane” and recommending she star in a sequel when presenting the best documentary prize with a short comedy performance.
Will Smith won Best Actor for King Richard. Jessica Chastain won Best Actress for The Eyes Of Tammy Faye.
This year’s Academy Awards – like most years, to be honest – has been marred by controversy. Despite widespread condemnation, eight prizes were awarded off-camera: Best Documentary Short, Best Live Action Short, Best Animated Short, Best Original Score, Best Makeup And Hair, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, and Best Production Design. After revealing on social media that she had not received an invitation to the Oscars, actress Rachel Zegler, who stars in Best Picture candidate West Side Story, was invited to present.
The 94th Academy Awards were hosted by Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes in the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, as is customary. Samuel L Jackson, Liv Ullmann, and writer-actor-director Elaine May all received honorary Oscars. The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award was given to Danny Glover.
