Speaking backstage,best actress winner Michelle Yeoh said her Oscar win was an historic moment.
“I really have to thank the Academy for acknowledging and embracing diversity and true representation,” Yeoh said.
“This is something we have been working so hard for,for a very long time. And tonight we frigging broke that glass ceiling. We need this,” Yeoh continued,as the press room erupted in cheers.
“There are so many who have felt unseen and unheard. This is for the Asian community,but[it is also] for anyone who has been identified as a minority. We deserve to be heard. We deserve to be seen so we can have a seat at the table. Let us prove that we are worth it.”
Not joking:if acting ever falls apart,politics is waiting for Michelle Yeoh. On stage in the media room,her charisma is off the charts. Yeoh said that aspiring artists of all colours should never be afraid to claim their space.
“If this is your passion,if this is your life,you have to stand up for yourself,for what you believe in and what you want to do,” Yeoh said. “I am still here,today. Finally,after 40 years,I get this. It just goes to show,we will win the battle. Never give up. When you give up,that is total loss. Don’t let anyone put you in a box,or tell you you’re past your prime,” Yeoh added.
“We’re proud,we believe in what we do,we love what we do,so light that fire in your soul and stay on the path. For we dare to dream. Because if you don’t dream,nothing is possible.”
Everything Everywhere All at Once has had an incredible run through awards season,but in fact exploded on the cultural radar a year ago this week when it was screened to its first non-virtual audience at the annual culture and arts convention South by Southwest.
“It’s been quite a marathon,hasn’t it?” Yeoh said. “Why do we make movies for the cinema? Because we want to have a collective experience. We want to share that,the laughing,the crying together. That’s what the magic of being at the movies is.”
It would also not be the 2023 Oscars without a final word from Yeoh on her mother,Janet. No matter what anyone tells you about who won,and who lost tonight,in the final analysis this year’s Oscars were all about mothers,and the enormous gifts they give us.
“Without mothers none of us would be sitting in this room,” Yeoh said. “My mother always instilled in me confidence,and she taught me about love and kindness and compassion. And the most recent thing she said to me was,don’t wear pants to the Oscars. Mothers are constantly reminding you to be better,” Yeoh added.
“They do it with love,and they do it because they want you to be better. So,you can have more opportunities. And so you can have a better life.”