Donald Trump mocks Oscar winning film Parasite at rally in Colorado
21 February 2020, 08:02
Donald Trump has criticised this year's Oscars and mocked South Korean film Parasite, which made history by becoming the first foreign language film ever to win best picture.
Director Bong Joon-Ho's searing commentary on class struggles won the top prize earlier this month.
The film also earned Bong best director and won both best original screenplay and best international feature.
But Trump was not impressed and bemoaned the film's success at a rally in Colorado.
"How bad were the Academy Awards this year?" the president asked, prompting boos from the crowd.
"The winner is - a movie from South Korea! What the hell was that all about?
"We got enough problems with South Korea with trade. On top of that, they give him best movie of the year? Was it good? I don't know. Let's get Gone With The Wind. Can we get Gone With the Wind back, please?
Trump goes off on the Oscars for giving Best Picture to Parasite because it's a South Korean movie pic.twitter.com/GUGKdExTbw
— Claudia Koerner (@ClaudiaKoerner) February 21, 2020
"Sunset Boulevard? So many great movies."
Mr Trump added: "Did this ever happen before?"
Neon, the North American distributor of Parasite, responded to the president.
"Understandable, he can't read," the company's official Twitter account said.
The president also aimed a barb at Brad Pitt, who mentioned Mr Trump's impeachment trial during his Oscars acceptance speech.
"And then you have Brad Pitt," Mr Trump said. "I was never a big fan of his. He got up, said a little wise guy thing. He's a little wise guy."
Parasite is one of the most acclaimed films of recent years.
Bong's satirical dark comedy veers wildly between different genres as it tells the story of an unscrupulous poor family's often hilarious attempts to embed themselves inside the home of a rich family.
It moves from comedy to horror before building up to a gruesome conclusion.
Parasite was a popular choice for best picture at the Oscars, winning ahead of Sam Mendes's well-fancied war epic 1917.
Bong addressed the issue of Western audiences being reluctant to watch foreign language films during his acceptance speech at the Golden Globes.
"Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films," he said after winning the best foreign film award.
