https://www.itv.com/news/utv/2023-03-13/james-martin-from-belfast-barista-to-oscar-star
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/michelle-yeoh-best-actress-oscar-win_n_6407b613e4b0c62918df06be
Two awards won at the Oscars last week made history. Do you know how? Can you tell from the images how the Oscar wins made history? These wins were a first for the Oscars.
The images show Michelle Yeoh wining best actress and James Martin wining an Oscar with the cast of the film, "An Irish goodbye" which won best short film. Michelle Yeoh is the first Asian actor to win an Oscar for best actress. She also only the second woman of colour ever to win the award. James is the first actor with Down Syndrome to win an Oscar.
James said, "It doesn't matter if you have Down Syndrome. As long as you do what you do." he says anyone can act, regardless of their disability and wants people to treat those with disabilities like adults and not judge them based on their appearance. James works at Starbucks in Belfast when he's not acting and also works as a chef at an Italian restaurant.
James's Dad said his son never let his Down Syndrome hold him back. When James was born, doctors told his parents that he may never speak. James's Dad said a few years ago someone joked that James might be the next James Bond and James replied, "Don't be stupid, I'm too small to be James Bond... but I've got all the moves!"
In her acceptance speech, Michelle Yeoh said, "For all the little boys and girls who look like me, watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that dream big and dreams do come true. And ladies, don't let anyone tell you you are ever past your prime. Never give up."
Later Michelle said, "I remember when I first came to Hollywood it was a dream come true- until I got here. Because look at this face. I came here and was told, "You're a minority," She says people were even surprised she spoke English. It has taken Michelle till the age of 60 to win this Oscar. she praises the writer of the film she won with ("Everything Everywhere all at once") because they wrote an elderly Asian woman as the hero character; Michelle asks, "When was the last time you saw an older woman being the super hero?"
-What are The Oscars? Do they matter?
- How long do you think the Oscars have been running? (the first was held in 1929)
- Why do you think in 95 years this is the first time an Asian actor has won best actress?
- Why do you think there has never been a winner with Down Syndrome before?
- what does this show about our history and our present?
- One could argue that skin colour or ability is irrelevant... does it matter that an Asian actress wins? Surely it's about your acting skills, not about your skin colour? (great debate opportunity here; the aim is to get the children to think, if skin doesn't matter, why is Michelle the first in 95 years? Have there never been good Asian actresses before?)
- Of course you can't win a best actress Oscar if you don't appear in a film... why do you think Michelle has received her first Oscar aged 60? Is it because she wasn't that good before? (or is it because she was never offered a part, or parts for Asian characters never existed...)
"You're a minority," why were people surprised Michelle spoke English? What is this behaviour and attitude an example of?
- It is interesting that James Martin, an Oscar wining actor, has to work at Starbucks and as a chef. Why does he have to do this? What does this show about opportunities for him currently ?
- How do you think the world film industry needs to move forward now?
- "It doesn't matter if you have Down Syndrome. As long as you do what you do." Why does James say this?
- "For all the little boys and girls who look like me, watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities." What does Michelle mean by this?
- "And ladies, don't let anyone tell you you are ever past your prime. Never give up." What does Michelle mean by this?
- What can we learn from Michelle and James?
- Why is this about No Outsiders?
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