It’s been a big year at the Oscars for the film Everything Everywhere All at Once. The massive A24 film – as everyone probably guessed – won numerous awards at the ceremony. Perhaps most importantly, however, it was announced that Everything Everywhere All at Once won Best Picture.
The film had already become a critical and financial success upon its theatrical release. But now Everything Everywhere All at Once is being reassessed as quite the landmark for the entertainment industry, having won Best Picture. In fact, three of the four acting honors were won by cast members from Everything Everywhere All at Once. The award for Best Actor, however, went to another A24 production: The Whale starring Brendan Fraser.
In any case, it’s quite a feat for the project, with star Michelle Yeoh having become the first Asian woman to be recognized as Best Actress. As noted by Variety, it was quite an inspiring moment when Yeoh gave the following statement:
“Ladies, don’t ever let anyone tell you that you are past your prime,” Yeoh said. “For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibility,” she added.
Ke Huy Quan, who won Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once, gave his own statement:
“My journey started on a boat,” he said. “I spent a year in a refugee camp and somehow I ended up here on Hollywood’s biggest stage. They say stories like this only happen in the movies. I cannot believe it’s happening to me. This is the American dream.”
“Dreams are something that you have to believe in,” he added. “I almost gave up on mine. To all of you out there, please keep your dreams alive.”
On that note, Best Supporting Actress Jamie Lee Curtis was also thankful for her award and everyone that supported her to get it:
“To all of the people who have supported the genre movies that I’ve made for all these years,” she stated, adding that “my mother and my father were both nominated for Oscars in different categories.”
In disbelief, she concluded: “I just won an Oscar.”
It’s certainly an incredible moment for the film, its cast and crew, and the indie production company behind it. It also signifies how the Academy has successfully acknowledged a more diverse number of actors and projects in its nominations. Hopefully we continue to see this exciting and beautiful level of success.