South Korea's 'Parasite' makes Oscars history

'Parasite' producer Kwak Sin-ae and cast and crew accept the award for best picture at the 92nd Oscars in Hollywood. Photo: AFP

South Korean Bong Joon-ho celebrates after winning the best director award for 'Parasite'. Photo: AFP

US actress Renee Zellweger took the best actress award for her role in 'Judy'. Photo: AFP

US actor Joaquin Phoenix poses in the press room with his Oscar for best actor for 'Joker'. Photo: AFP

Movie history has been made at the Oscars with South Korea's black comedy "Parasite" becoming the first non-English-language film to win the best picture award, Hollywood's biggest prize of all.



"Parasite," about a poor South Korean family infiltrating a wealthy household, won a total of four awards, defying the received wisdom that the Academy would overlook a subtitled Asian movie.



"I thought I was done for the day and ready to relax," filmmaker Bong Joon-ho said upon winning best director honours, before promising to "drink until next morning."



But a bigger shock was in store as the movie beat frontrunner "1917" to win best picture.



"It feels like a very opportune moment in history is happening right now," producer Kwak Sin-ae told an audience of Tinseltown A-listers, who cheered the film's wins throughout the night at the Dolby Theatre.



"Parasite" also won the Oscar for best international feature, and became the first Asian film to scoop best original screenplay.



"We never write to represent our countries," Bong said earlier in the night when he took the screenplay award. "But this is (the) very first Oscar to South Korea. Thank you."



Bong also paid tribute to his childhood hero and fellow nominee Martin Scorsese, drawing a standing ovation for the veteran director of "The Irishman."



The pre-Oscars favourite "1917," Sam Mendes' innovative and personal World War I movie about two soldiers crossing no-man's-land, had to settle for best cinematography, visual effects and sound mixing prizes.



Joaquin Phoenix won his first Oscar, taking the best actor award for his turn in supervillain origin story "Joker," the film that started the night with the most nominations.



In an emotionally charged speech, the actor railed against injustice and "an egocentric worldview" that leads to environmental destruction, before paying tribute to his actor brother River, who died of a drug overdose in 1993.



"I have been a scoundrel in my life," admitted Phoenix, thanking Hollywood for not "cancelling" him out and urging others to show similar forgiveness.



Renee Zellweger sealed a remarkable comeback after six years away from the screen by winning best actress for "Judy," dedicating the award to Hollywood screen legend Judy Garland.



"Judy Garland did not receive this honour in her time. I am certain that this moment is an extension of the celebration of her legacy," she said in accepting her second Oscar.



"American Factory" – the first film from Barack and Michelle Obama's production house, about a Rust Belt factory reopened by a Chinese billionaire – won best documentary. (AFP)