NZ's talented Taika Waititi wins Oscar [1]
Wednesday, February 12, 2020 - 14:01
Maori actor and director Taika Waititi (44), won an academy award for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 92nd Academy Awards for his movie “Jojo Rabbit” on Sunday, 9 February. Waititi beat five nominees to win the award, which included screenplays for movies such as Joker and The Irishman.
In his brief acceptance speech, Waititi thanked those who helped create the film and dedicated his award to indigenous people.
“I dedicate this to all the indigenous kids in the world who want to do art, and dance and write stories. We are the original story tellers and we can make it here”, he said.
Jojo Rabbit was directed by Waititi who also co-stars in the film. The movie is a novel based comedy-drama set in Nazi Germany during World War II about a Hitler youth boy named Jojo who protects a Jewish girl hiding in the attic of his home. Waititi acts as Jojo’s imaginary friend Adolf Hitler.
Waititi is one of many New Zealanders to have won an academy award, notably Russell Crowe and Peter Jackson.