“Sinners” cinematographer Autumn Durald-Arkapaw won the Oscar for best cinematography on Sunday and with it, became the first woman and the first Black filmmaker to win the Academy Award in that category.
“Whenever I said thank you to Ryan [Coogler, “Sinners” writer and director], he said, ‘No, thank you. Thank you for believing in me and thank you for trusting me,’” Arkapaw said.
“That’s the kind of guy I get to make films with,” she said. “And he means it, he truly means it.
“And I feel like this little girl, who had to meet Ryan and [female cinematographers] Ellen Kuras and Rachel Morrison,” Arkapaw continued.
She then asked all the women inside the Kodak Theatre to stand up, which brought an even louder round of applause and cheers than her initial win had.
“I feel like I don’t get here without you guys,” she continued. “I really, really truly mean that. I have felt so much love from all the women on this whole campaign and gotten to meet so many people.
“I feel like moments like this happen because of you guys, and I want to thank you for that.”
Priyanka Chopra-Jonas and Javier Bardem arrived next to present the Academy Award for best international film, with Bardem saying, “No war. Free Palestine,” the most direct commentary on global conflicts to that point, before reading the nominees.
“Sentimental Value” won that Oscar with Norwegian director Joachim Trier joining the cast on stage.
“This film is about a very dysfunctional family, and it’s the opposite of what I felt from this beautiful group behind me,” Trier said. “The cast behind me, I’ve never been so proud. My real family, my mom and dad for showing me movies. My wife, you know, it’s not so easy to be with filmmakers. I love you.”
Trier then said he felt a responsibility to speak for the other global filmmakers nominated for the Academy Award.
“I’m quoting, no, paraphrasing the wonderful American writer James Baldwin, who makes us remember that all adults are responsible for all children, and let’s not vote for politicians who don’t take this seriously into account.”