Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

'We've got enough problems with South Korea': Trump criticises Parasite's Oscar win but admits he hasn't seen it

'Was it good? I don't know' said president as he criticised foreign language win and attacked Brad Pitt

Phil Thomas
New York
Friday 21 February 2020 01:54 GMT
Comments
Trump attacks Parasite and calls Brad Pitt a 'little wiseguy'

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Donald Trump lashed out at Parasite, the winner of this year's best picture at the Academy Awards, saying: "We've got enough problems with South Korea."

Speaking at a rally in Colorado Springs, he also criticized Brad Pitt, winner of the best supporting actor gong for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, calling him a "a little wiseguy".

An energetic Mr Trump asked supporters: "By the way, how bad were the Academy Awards this year? Did you see them?"

Imitating an announcer, he said: "And the winner is ... a movie from South Korea. What the hell was that all about? We've got enough problems with South Korea with trade. On top of that they give them the best movie of the year? Was it good? I don't know."

The president revealed his own taste in films, asking why a film like Gone with the Wind or Sunset Boulevard couldn't win.

"You know I'm looking for, like, where .... Let's get Gone with the Wind? Can we get, like, Gone with the Wind back please? Sunset Boulevard ... so many great movies.

"The winner is ... from South Korea. I thought it was best foreign film, right? Best foreign movie! No, it was the ... did this ever happen before?"

Neon, Parasite's US distributor, hit back at the president's criticism of the subtitled film, tweeting: "Understandable, he can't read."

Gone with the Wind, released in 1939, won eight Academy Awards, including one for Hattie McDaniel, the first African-American to win an Oscar. However, the film's sympathetic portrayal of Confederates during the civil war has been criticized since.

Sunset Boulevard, released in 1950, is a more surprising choice of film for the usually conservative-minded president – a dark drama narrated by a dead man, it tells of an ambitious young screenwriter who gets ahead by having an affair with an ageing former silent era movie star. In mood it is not dissimilar to the twisty thriller Parasite.

The president hit out at Pitt, who made a point about Mr Trump's impeachment trial during his Oscar acceptance speech.

Brad Pitt criticises Trump impeachment trial verdict

Referring to Republican senators refusing to hear potentially explosive evidence from former national security adviser John Bolton, Pitt said: "They told me I only have 45 seconds up here ... which is 45 seconds more than the Senate gave John Bolton this week."

Mr Trump told the rally: "And then you've got Brad Pitt – I was never a big fan of his. He got up with his little wiseguy statement. Little wiseguy! He's a little wiseguy."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in