Oscars 2022: Will Smith Wins Best Actor For ‘King Richard’, ‘CODA’ Chosen As Best Film

Sian Heder’s ‘CODA’ dominated the 94th Academy Awards ceremony by bagging three major awards – Best Film, Best Supporting Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay. It is an English remake of the 2014 French film ‘La Famille Belier’ and tells the story of Ruby Rossi (played by Emilia Jones), the only hearing member of a deaf family.

The other nominees for Best Picture were ‘Belfast’, ‘Don’t Look Up’, ‘Drive My Car’, ‘Dune’, ‘King Richard’, ‘Licorice Pizza’, ‘Nightmare Alley’, ‘The Power of the Dog’ and ‘West Side Story’.

Jane Campion bagged the Best Director award for ‘The Power Of The Dog’. She is the third woman to win an Oscar for Best Director. The movie is a psychological thriller starring Benedict Cumberbatch as a charismatic cowboy who tortures his sister-in-law.

Will Smith won Best Actor in a Leading Role for ‘King Richard’. The other actors nominated in this category were Javier Bardem (‘Being the Ricardo’s’), Benedict Cumberbatch (‘The Power of the Dog’), Andrew Garfield (‘Tick, Tick Boom!’), and Denzel Washington (‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’).

While accepting the Best Actor award, Will Smith said, “Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family. At this time in my life, at this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world.” The actor broke down while talking about the film. He added, “I want to apologise to the Academy and fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment. I am not crying for winning an award.”

There was a moment of controversy when Smith lost his cool and punched presenter Chris Rock in the face when he cracked a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.

Best Actor in a Leading Role goes to Will Smith for his incredible performance in 'King Richard' Congratulations! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/y0UTX48214

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 28, 2022

Jessica Chastain won the Best Actress award for ‘The Eyes Of Tammy Faye’. The other nominees in the category were Olivia Colman (‘The Lost Daughter’), Penélope Cruz (‘Parallel Mothers’), Nicole Kidman (‘Being the Ricardos’) and Kristen Stewart (‘Spencer’).

Here is the full list of winners:

Best Picture: CODA (exclusively available on Apple TV+)

Best Director: Jane Campion (The Power Of The Dog)

Best Actress: Jessica Chastain (The Eyes Of Tammy Faye)

Best Actor: Will Smith (King Richard)

Best Supporting Actress: Ariana DeBose (West Side Story)

Best Supporting Actor: Troy Kotsur (CODA)

Best Original Screenplay: Bellfast

Best Adapted Screenplay: CODA

Best International Feature Film: Drive My Car (Japan)

Best Animated Feature Film: Encanto

Best Documentary Feature: Summer Of Soul

Best Documentary Short: The Queen of Basketball

Best Animated Short: The Windshield Wiper

Best Live Action Short: The Long Goodbye

Best Original Score: Dune

Best Original Song: No Time To Die (No Time To Die)

Best Cinematography: Dune

Best Costume Design: Cruella

Best Production Design: Dune

Best Makeup and Hair: The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Best Sound: Dune

Best Film Editing: Dune