Bong Joon Ho and ‘Parasite’ Serve Up Stiff Oscar Competition

By N. Jamiyla Chisholm Jan 13, 2020

The nominees for the 92nd Academy Awards were announced on Monday (January 13) via livestream. While the announcers, Issa Rae (“Insecure”) and John Cho (“The Twilight Zone”), hinted that the Academy is trying to be more inclusive, the list nominees shows that it may be time to dust off the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag. Cynthia Erivo was the only person of color nominated for a major acting award (Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for “Harriet”) from a group of 20 performers.

For people of color working behind the camera, Korean director Bong Joon Ho is the one to beat. He’s competing in the Best Motion Picture of the Year, Original Screenplay, Achievement in Directing and Best International Feature Film of the Year categories for “Parasite.” Also up for Best International Feature Film is "Les Misérables" by Malian-French director Ladj Ly, which follows two days in the lives of Black and Brown boys in a heavily policed Parisian neighborhood.

The Best Documentary Feature category, which is usually where diversity shines at the Oscars, did so with projects helmed by or centering people of color, including “The Cave,” “The Edge Of Democracy” and “For Sama.” The Best Documentary Short Subject category also featured a mix of cultures, with “In The Absence,” “St. Louis Superman” and “Walk Run Cha-Cha.”

For the complete list of nominees, visit the Oscar’s website.