Parasite adds historic SAG Awards win, first for foreign-language film

From left to right: Song Gang-ho, Park So-dam, Bong Joon-ho (director), Lee Jung-eun, Choi Woo-shik, and Lee Sun-kyun [Photo provided by AP-Yonhap]

South Korean dark social satire film “Parasite” was crowned at the 2020 Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture on Sunday for the first time for a foreign-language film in the 25-year history of the awards, the Oscar precursor ceremony.

The South Korean hit directed and written by Bong Joon-ho won the trophy at the 2020 SAG Awards after beating out four strong contenders – Jay Roach’s “Bombshell,” Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman,” Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” and Taika Waititi’s “Jojo Rabbit.”

Previously, Italian comedy-drama “Life is Beautiful” (1998) directed by Oscar-winner Roberto Benigini was nominated in the same category but failed to grab the trophy.

Five out of the 10 nominated ensemble members – Park So-dam, Lee Sun-kyun, Choi Woo-shik, Lee Jung-eun, and Song Gang-ho – took the stage to accept the honor on Sunday.

[Photo provided by AFP-Yonhap]

“Although the title is Parasite, I think the story is about co-existence, and how we can all live together,” said Song in his acceptance speech through a translator. “I am so honored to receive this award in front of such amazing actors that I admire. I will remember and never forget this beautiful night. Thank you so much.”

After winning the SAG ensemble prize, which is considered best picture award at the Oscar, expectation for a possible victory of Parasite at the upcoming Oscar in the best picture category is growing. About half of the winners of the ensemble prize had historically repeated their wins at the Oscar.

The South Korean heavyweight now is up for a total six awards including Best Picture and Best Director and International Film at the upcoming Oscar ceremony next month after collecting a slew of trophies worldwide including the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival last May and the best foreign film at the 2020 Golden Globe earlier this month.

The 92nd Oscars will be held on Feb. 9.

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