Abby Connolly
Chloé Zhao winning ‘Best Director’ in 2021
Anyone interested in the film industry and award shows knows that women have been severely overlooked and robbed regarding the Best Director category at the Academy Awards.
In 2021, Chloé Zhao made history by becoming the first woman of color to receive the Best Director award for her film “Nomadland,” which she also adapted, edited, and produced.
In her sweet acceptance speech, Chloé shared a story about growing up in China with her father and how they’d memorize Chinese poems and stories. A line in one of those stories that meant a lot to Chloé translates to, “People at birth are inherently good.”
“Those six letters had such a great impact on me when I was a kid, and I still truly believe them today, even though sometimes, it might seem like the opposite is true,” says Chloé.
“I have always found goodness in the people I’ve met, everywhere I went in the world. So, this is for anyone who has the faith and the courage to hold on to the goodness in themselves and to hold on to the goodness in each other, no matter how difficult it is to do that.”
Sally Field winning ‘Best Actress’ in 1985
The beloved Sally Field’s iconic acceptance speech after she won Best Actress for her performance in “Places in the Heart” is still quoted by many pop culture lovers to this day. This was Sally’s second Academy Award win.
A joyful Sally began her speech by thanking her team and the cast of “Places in the Heart.” She then acknowledges how her career didn’t start as “orthodox” and how wonderful it was to be taken seriously as a hardworking actress by others in the film industry.
“I’ve wanted more than anything to have your respect,” says a smiling Sally.
“The first time, I didn’t feel it, but this time, I feel it, and I can’t deny the fact that you like me. Right now, you like me!”
