One of the first films to win an Oscar that has appeared on a streaming service is “CODA.” The film won the award for Best Picture and is an indication that more people could be utilizing streaming services like Netflix and Apple TV than cable and satellite This film is shown on Apple TV Plus (App is also available on mobile and if you are subscribed to a cell phone service including data you can enjoy streaming while on the go) – CODA offers a look at the life of Ruby Rossi, who is played by Emilia Jones. She is the only one in her family who can hear as everyone else is deaf. While she loves her family, she tries to explore the world outside of a home where she has grown up talking to people in sign language and trying to understand how to communicate with those who can’t hear what is said. A bidding war resulted in Apple winning the rights to show the movie after paying $25 million.
Names Behind the Movie
Troy Kotsur, an actor in the movie, won an award for Best Supporting Actor. The writer-director of the movie, Siân Heder, won an award as well for Best Adapted Screenplay. He is the only deaf person who has won an Oscar since 1986. Marlee Matlin won the previous award for “Children of a Lesser God.”
The First to Win
“CODA” isn’t the first movie from a streaming service to be nominated for an award, but it is the first to win one of the biggest of the night. There has been a nomination for a movie from Amazon for Best Picture, but the service couldn’t pull off the win on awards night. There have also been several films nominated from Netflix and secured the most nominations for a TV streaming service for the Academy Awards at 27. However, the only award associated with Netflix was for Best Director. Apple reportedly spent about $10 million making a campaign to get the word out about “CODA” so that the name could be in the public eye. This amount was more than how much was spent making the movie.
This is only the second year that Apple has been eligible to receive an Oscar. It came out over many services that have been around for years, showing that it has what it takes to compete in a market that’s growing each year. Apple wanted to purchase the world rights to the movie after it was released from Sundance, but those rights had been sold to other distributors before Apple had the chance to bid.
Unlikely Win
“CODA” didn’t appear as though it was a movie that could win an award. It’s a movie that details the differences that people can have while still loving each other. Reviews about the movie have been mixed as some feel that it’s a beautiful tale without a lot of the dramatic impacts that can make or break a movie. Once more people watched the movie, nominations started to roll through along with the movie winning awards at international shows before making its way to the Oscars. “The Power of the Dog,” which is on Netflix, was also in the running. The Academy has had somewhat of a stigma about streaming services and whether or not movies from them could hold up to those that are seen through other platforms. However, with the win from “CODA,” it looks like streaming services like Apple TV could begin to take over.Â
