Oscars 2022: the winners
Best film. “CODA”, a low-budget film about the complicated life of a deaf family and their hearing daughter, received the highest Oscar award, defying the odds and making many competing heavyweights bite the dust. The victory of this film adapted from the French success “La Famille Bélier” allows Apple TV+ to become the first streaming platform to win the Oscars in the flagship category of best feature film.
Best actor. Will Smith was crowned best actor, for his role in “The Williams Method”, where he plays the father trainer of tennis champions Serena and Venus Williams.
Best Actress. The American Jessica Chastain won the Oscar for best actress for “In the eyes of Tammy Faye” and her role as a televangelist with a big heart and outrageous makeup. The actress, just 45 years old, had already been an unsuccessful candidate for an Oscar twice, first for “The Color of Feelings” then for “Zero Dark Thirty”. She ultimately prevailed in a close competition against four other very popular stars: Penelope Cruz (“Madres Paralelas”), Kristen Stewart (“Spencer”), Nicole Kidman (“Being the Ricardos”) and Olivia Colman (“ The Lost Daughter”).
Best director. New Zealand filmmaker Jane Campion was crowned best director for her film “The Power of the Dog”, becoming the third woman to be honored with this prestigious award, just one year after Chloé Zhao. The pioneer in this category was Kathryn Bigelow, for “Minesweepers”, in 2010. Jane Campion had already been rewarded in 1994 by the Oscar for the best screenplay adapted for “The piano lesson”.
Best Supporting Actor. American actor Troy Kotsur, born deaf, won Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “CODA”. The 53-year-old artist thus makes history by becoming the first deaf male actor to win an Oscar thanks to this role, all in humor and sensitivity, of a grumpy but loving father in “CODA”. Troy Kotsur, who dedicated his victory to the “deaf and disabled community”, was applauded in sign language by Oscar guests when he came to collect his prize on stage.
Best Supporting Actress. American actress Ariana DeBose won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Anita in Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story. The 31-year-old actress succeeds the legendary Rita Moreno, a native like her from Puerto Rico, who had already received an Oscar in 1962 for the role of Anita in the original version of the film. “I am so grateful to you, your Anita paved the way for thousands of Anitas like me,” she told the 90-year-old star who applauded her in the room.
Best Animated Film. The Disney magic once again worked at the Oscars where “Encanto, the fantastic Madrigal family”, a celebration of Colombia, its culture and its traditions, won the prize for best animated film. “Encanto” tells the adventures of an ordinary teenager, Mirabel, born into a family in which each member is endowed with magical powers, in the heart of the Colombian mountains.