Bong Joon Ho overcame the odds — and delayed his plans to start celebrating — when he won his third Oscar of the night, taking home best director for his work on “Parasite” at the 2020 Academy Awards.
“After winning best international feature, I thought I was done for the day and was ready to relax,” Bong said through his translator. “When I was young and studying cinema, there was a saying which I carved deep into my heart, which is ‘The most personal is the most creative.’”
He then asked the crowd to acknowledge Martin Scorsese, also nominated for best director for “The Irishman.”
“When I was in school I studied Martin Scorese’s films,” Bong said. “Just to be nominated was a huge honor — I never thought I would win.
“When people in the U.S. were not familiar with my films, Quentin (Tarantino, another nominee in the category) always put my films on his list,” he continued.
Then, gesturing at the top of his third Oscar statue, he said he wished he could share it with all of the nominees.
“And Todd (Phillips of “Joker”) and Sam (Mendes of “1917”), great directors that I admire, if the Academy allows I would like to get a Texas chainsaw, split the Oscar into five and share it with all of you,” Bong said.
“Thank you. I will drink until next morning. Thank you.”
Elton John and Bernie Taupin have won many awards for their work over the years but an Oscar was only a dream until Sunday when John, who sings and writes the music, and Taupin, who has always written the words, won best original song for “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from “Rocketman.”
John mouthed the words “Oh my god” when their names were called. Taupin arrived on stage to proclaim “Wow, this doesn’t suck.”
Both gave thanks to the team who made the biopic about John’s life, but especially to each other.
“Being here with this guy, I don’t have words for it,” Taupin said. “This is just justification for 53 years of just hammering out and doing what we do.”
Added Elton: “Thank you to Bernie who has been the constant thing in my life. When I was screwed up, when I was normal he’s always been there for me.”