You could almost be forgiven for having missed it amid controversy elsewhere (read: what has quickly become one of the most famous slaps in entertainment history), but the Apple-distributed comedy-drama film CODA made serious history of its own last night.
More specifically, the acclaimed coming-of-age film won the Academy Award for all three categories in which it was nominated – Best Picture, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
The Best Picture triumph was a particular eye-catcher, and not just because it meant Apple TV+ beat Netflix to the honor of being the first streaming service ever to win the top Academy Award. That’s because the film had already made history as Apple TV+’s first Best Picture nomination, while the confirmation of its victory on the night also made it the first movie featuring a predominantly deaf cast to win the category.
The Best Actor in a Supporting Role Oscar went to Troy Kotsur, who plays father Frank Rossi in CODA. It’s quite the follow-up for Kotsur, after earlier award-show triumphs for the same role – not least because his nomination had already made him the first male deaf actor to ever be nominated for an Oscar, 35 years after CODA co-star Marlee Matlin took the best actress honor for 1986’s Children of a Lesser God.
Meanwhile, Sian Heder took the award for Best Adapted Screenplay for CODA, ahead of the writers of Drive My Car, Dune, The Lost Daughter, and The Power of the Dog.
Apple CEO Tim Cook and services chief Eddy Cue were both present at the Los Angeles ceremony, and Cook tweeted his delight at the result.
Team CODA created a profoundly beautiful movie, a story of hope and heart that celebrates our differences. Congratulations to the producers, @SianHeder, @TroyKotsur, @MarleeMatlin, @EmiliaJonesy, @DanielNDurant, @EugenioDerbez, and all involved in these historic wins! #CODAfilm pic.twitter.com/s9ebnPaYl1
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 28, 2022
Meanwhile, Zack Van Amburg – one of Apple’s heads of Worldwide Video – commented: “On behalf of everyone at Apple, we are so grateful to the Academy for the honors bestowed on CODA this evening.” His counterpart as Apple Worldwide Video chief, Jamie Erlicht, added: “It has been a true joy to witness the positive impact on humanity that this story and its performances have had worldwide.”