On Sunday night, history was created by Michelle Yeoh at the Oscars who is now become the first Asian person to an Academy Award for lead actress in “Everything Everywhere All at Once”. The award has come after decades of films involving martial arts and action such as “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” and “Yes, Madam”.
Standing on the stage, Yeoh said,” For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities.”
“This is proof that dreams do come true. And ladies, don’t let anybody tell you that you are ever past your prime. Never give up.”
The sci-fi adventure, directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, is about Evelyn Wany, played by Yeoh, a middle-aged woman who owns a laundromat, and is being investigated by the IRS, learns that she must connect with different versions of herself in parallel universes to avoid a disastrous future.
The Asian actress devout the award to her mother and all the mothers worldwide. She said, “Thye are the real superheroes, and without them, none of us will be here tonight.”
Yeoh is among three Asian women who have backed an award home at the Oscars, after Yun-Jung Youn for “Minari” and Miyoshi Umeki for “Sayonara” and has become the first Asian to win an Oscar in the category of acting. In addition, she is also the second woman of color to back an award as the best actress, following Halle Berry in 2002’s “Monster Ball”.
While exiting the stage, she said aloud, “Thank you to the Academy — this is history in the making!”
Yeoh’s odds of winning were due to her much-appreciated performance and was honored at ceremonies such as SAG Awards, Independent Spirit Awards, and the Golden Globes. Yeoh’s winning was up against Cate Blanchett for “Tár,” Michelle Williams for “The Fabelmans,” Andrea Riseborough for “To Leslie” and Ana de Armas for “Blonde.”
She said, “I wouldn’t be standing here tonight without the Daniels, without the amazing cast and crew [and] everyone involved with ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’”.
“Also, my extended family in Hong Kong, where I started my career. Thank you for letting me stand on your shoulders.”
The Academy Award adds to the collection of awards for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” becoming the fifth film in history to back four major prestigious awards (DGA, PGA, SAG, and WGA). At the Oscars, the film acquired 11 nominations, including best picture, director for Daniels and supporting actress for Stephanie Hsu and Jamie Lee Curtis (who won the award) and best-supporting actor Ke Huy Quan (who also won the award). It backed awards along with six other prizes.
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” was released last year at SXSW, where the film was appreciated critically and commercially hit. The film grossed more than $100 million worldwide becoming A24’s highest-grossing release yet.
