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President Donald Trump rails against Oscars for giving Best Picture to foreign film 'Parasite'

Posted at 5:41 AM, Feb 21, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-21 11:18:21-05

At a rally in Colorado on Thursday night, President Donald Trump took issue with the Academy Awards for awarding Best Picture to a foreign film.

"Parasite" won the Oscar for Best Picture earlier this month. Directed by Bong Joon-Ho of South Korea, it was the first South Korean film ever to receive recognition from the Academy. It was also the first Sou foreign-language film ever to win Best Picture.

"By the way, how bad were the Academy Awards this year? 'And the winner is a movie from South Korea,'" Trump said. "What the hell was that all about?"

Trump added that he has not watched "Parasite" and asked if it was "any good."

"I thought it was best foreign film, best foreign movie -- no, it was the best. Did this ever happen before?" Trump said.

Trump also said that America has "got enough problems with South Korea with trade."

"On top of that, they give them the best movie of the year?" he said.

"Parasite" was also awarded "Best Screenplay" and "Best Directing."

Neon, the studio that produced "Parasite," responded to Trump's criticism shortly after the president's speech.

"Understandable, he can't read," the studio tweeted.

At Thursday's rally, Trump also criticized actor Brad Pitt, who used his acceptance speech to rail against Republican Senators who chose not to call witnesses in Trump's impeachment trial.

"I was never a big fan of his," Trump said. "He got up, said a little wise-guy statement. Little wise guy, he's a little wise guy."