Michelle Obama awards top Oscar to 'Argo'
February 25, 2013
First lady Michelle Obama announced the best picture category in a surprise appearance live from the White House at Sunday’s Academy Awards, crowning political drama “Argo” as the best picture.
In a year where several of the nominated films had political connections — from “Lincoln” to “Zero Dark Thirty” — “Argo” came out on top among the Washington crowd, winning three of the seven awards it was nominated for, including best picture. The film is about a CIA plan to rescue Americans trapped in Iran during the Carter-era hostage crisis.
After being introduced by legendary actor Jack Nicholson, Obama spoke by satellite from inside the White House, where she thanked the Hollywood community for their “vitally important work” before announcing “Argo” the winner.
“Welcome to the White House, everyone,” Obama said, wearing a silver Naeem Khan gown. These movies "took us back in time and all around the world. They made us laugh. They made us weep and made us grip our armrests just a little tighter. They taught us that love can endure against all odds and transform our minds in the most surprising ways. And they reminded us that we can overcome any obstacle if we dig deep enough and fight hard enough and find the courage to believe in ourselves.”
(PHOTOS: Politics at the Oscars)
Affleck — who wasn’t nominated in the best director category for “Argo” — seemed thankful and nervous when he took the microphone after the film won.
“I want to thank our friends in Iran living in a terrible circumstance right now,” he said. “I want to thank my wife [actress Jennifer Garner], who I don’t normally associate with Iran, but I want to thank you for working on our marriage. … It is work, but it’s the best kind of work and there’s no one I’d rather work with.”
“Argo” also won for best adapted screenplay and film editing, rounding out its three Oscars. “Lincoln” scored two awards — best actor for Daniel Day-Lewis and best production design.
“Zero Dark Thirty,” about the U.S. government's hunt for Osama Bin Laden, won its only award of the night for sound editing, a category in which it tied with “Skyfall,” the latest James Bond installment. (Surprisingly enough, ties for Oscars aren’t all that uncommon, as ABC News noted.)
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