With Korean Parasite, the Oscar goes to inclusivity!

Mayank Shekhar mayank. shekhar@ mid- day. com The Academy doesnu2019t vote for a film. It films its vote, as a moral zeitgeist of sorts, to the world at large. Does it always get it right with the choice of Best Film, though? Canu2019t. That it is radiantly dynamic and self- correcting, year after year, is its notable achievement. By the Academy, we mean the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences u2014 of America, with a much wider international membership, lately u2014 that we know for the Oscars it hands out. And that has no Indian equivalent. Why? Never mind; enjoy your pan masala. Mindful of the annual u2018 statementu2019 the Academy makes with its top winner, must admit we got our predictions wrong (u2018 Toughest race at the Oscars 2020u2019, mid- day, Feb 8). Although only partly, since Bong Joon- ho and Parasite, as mentioned, were indeed most likely to win Best Director and Best Picture in our books; if Sam Mendes and his 1917 didnu2019t. And the Parasite gongs for Best Original Screenplay ( and, of course, Best International Feature) tallied with our list. That said, what did we miss? That the most relevant/ urgent American statement to be made from a global platform such as the Oscars was not much on the price of war ( 1917), or indeed the rise of authoritarian leaderships ( Jojo Rabbit). By picking up the first non- English film, and the first winner of Best International Feature, as the overall Best Picture, the Academy was making a full speech on acceptance. Even as Joon- ho warmed American hearts with his acceptance speech u2014 doffing his hat to Hollywood contemporaries/ greats, including his long- time cheerleader, Quentin Tarantino, in the same room. With Korean Parasite, the Oscar goes to inclusivity! Continued on page 15 Bong Joon- hou2019s Parasite won four Oscars u2014 Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best International Feature Film and Best Director. pic/ pti