PremiumOscars 2022: CODA becomes first OTT film to win Best Picture Award
Directed by Sian Heder, the film also won Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor at the 94th Academy Awards.
Last Updated: 07.20 PM, Mar 28, 2022
CODA, a heartwarming film about a deaf family with a hearing daughter, won the historic best picture Oscar, marking the first time a streaming service has received the film industry's highest honour. Apple TV+ released CODA, which knocked out Netflix's The Power of the Dog and other traditional Hollywood studio submissions.
Producer Patrick Wachsberger said on stage in front of the film's cast that he truly wants to thank the Academy for recognizing a film about love and family at this tough moment that we need today.
Troy Kotsur became the first deaf person to win an Oscar for his role in CODA, winning best supporting actor. Frank Rossi, played by Kotsur, is the father of an adolescent who is trying to help her family's fishing business while pursuing her own musical dreams.
As he won the supporting actor award, Kotsur gave an emotional speech in sign language, saying that it's incredible to be a part of this journey. He couldn't believe he had arrived.
The actor also said that his father was involved in a car accident and became paralysed from the neck down, unable to sign. Kotsur shared that he learned so much from his dad and that he will always love him. He called his dad his "hero." The actor thanked his strongest supporters, his wife and daughter, Kira, as well as his hometown of Mesa, Arizona, and his manager, Mark Finly, and their team.
He just wanted to mention that this is devoted to the deaf, CODA, and disabled communities.
The Best Picture prize was awarded by Lady Gaga and Liza Minelli to the drama, which had already won in all three of its nominated categories: adapted script for writer/director Sian Heder, and supporting actor for Troy Kotsur.
Sian Heder wrote and directed CODA, a coming-of-age comedy-drama film released in 2021. Emilia Jones plays the eponymous CODA (child of deaf adults), the only hearing member of a deaf family, who tries to combine her attempts to aid her family's struggling fishing company with her own life ambitions.