Dune, a sci-fi epic by Filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, was the biggest winner at last night’s 94th Academy Awards.
The film earned a total of 10 nominations at the 2022 Oscars out of which it won in six categories.
The movie won Best Original Score, Achievement in Sound, Best Production Design, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, and Best Visual Effects.
The movie’s first part was released on October 22, 2021, in the US. It featured actors Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, and Javier Bardem.
Meanwhile, Will Smith won his first-ever Oscar for his outstanding performance in the biopic, King Richard.
While the 53-year-old had been nominated for the gong twice before in his 30-year career, it’s the role of Richard Williams – the determined father of a young Venus and Serena Williams – that bagged him the prize.
Jessica Chastain won the Best Actress award for her role in The Eyes of Tammy Faye.
Best Supporting Actor went to Troy Kotsur, for his performance in CODA, while Ariana DeBose carted home Best Supporting Actress for her role in West Side Story.
Best Picture went to CODA, the first platform-streamed movie to win an Oscar. The Apple TV+ movie was been awarded the highest honor.
Jane Campion took home the Best Director award for The Power of the Dog while Best Original Song No Time to Die went to James Bond’s “No Time to Die” movie.
Meanwhile, in one of the most shocking moments in Oscars history, Will Smith stormed onstage and slapped presenter Chris Rock for a joke the comic made about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett.
The drama began while Rock was presenting the best documentary during the 2022 ceremony. Rock made a crack about Pinkett Smith getting ready to film a sequel to G.I. Jane — an apparent reference to the actress having a shaved head. (Pinkett Smith has been open about her hair loss due to alopecia.)
“Jada, I love ya,” Rock said. “G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see it. All right?”
Smith laughed, though looking a bit uncomfortable. Pinkett Smith rolled her eyes and glared at Rock.
Hearing disapproval from the crowd, Rock implored, “That was a nice one!”
That’s when Smith stood up, stormed onstage, and smacked a stunned Rock in the face.
What happened next was censored in the United States but aired elsewhere.
As Smith went back to his seat, Rock marveled, “Wow, wow … Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me.”
“Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth!” Smith roared, again seated in the audience.
“Wow dude, it was a G.I. Jane joke,” Rock said, which prompted Smith to repeat his demand.
Looking visibly shaken, Rock paused for a moment and then told the crowd: “That was the Greatest night in the history of television” and then continued along with his presenter moment.
During the next commercial break, Smith was pulled aside and comforted by Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry, who motioned for him to brush it off. Smith appeared to wipe tears from his eyes as he sat back down with Pinkett Smith.
