Parasite named film of the year by London critics

With a week to go until the Oscars, it looks like the ‘Parasite for best picture’ train is gathering steam.

The Korean film, directed by Bong Joon Ho, was named film of the year at the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards on Thursday night.

Parasite was up against most of its Oscars rivals, with The Irishman, Joker, Knives Out, Marriage Story, Midsommar, 1917, Pain and Glory, Portrair Of A Lady On Fire and The Souvenir in the category.

However, it was the dark comedy thriller that came out on top.

Not only that, but Bong Joon Ho was named director of the year, over Martin Scorsese (The Irishman), Celine Sciamma (Portrait Of A Lady On Fire), Pedro Almodovar (Pain and Glory) and Sam Mendes (1917).

This is sure to be a boost of confidence ahead of the Baftas this weekend, before awards season wraps up with the Academy Awards.

Parasite – about a poor family who scheme to become employed by a much wealthier family – has already won the Palme D’Or at Cannes Film Festival, best foreign language film at the Golden Globes and outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture at the SAG Awards, which often signals who will take home best picture at the Oscars.

It faces stiff competition, though, from Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, 1917, The Irishman, Jojo Rabbit, Little Women, Ford Vs Ferrari, Marriage Story and Joker.

Elsewhere at the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards, Renee Zellwegger won actress of the year for her role in Judy, while Joaquin Phoenix won actor of the year for Joker, and Laura Dern (Marriage Story) and Joe Pesci (The Irishman) won the supporting actress and actor gongs.

For Sama was named documentary of the year, while French film Portrait of a Lady on Fire was named foreign language film of the year; and The Souvenir was awarded British/Irish film of the year.

London Critics' Circle Film Awards winners

FILM OF THE YEAR
Parasite

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
Portrait of a Lady on Fire

DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR
For Sama

BRITISH/IRISH FILM OF THE YEAR: The Attenborough Award
The Souvenir

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Bong Joon Ho – Parasite

SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR
Noah Baumbach – Marriage Story

ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Renée Zellweger – Judy

ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Joaquin Phoenix – Joker

SUPPORTING ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Laura Dern – Marriage Story

SUPPORTING ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Joe Pesci – The Irishman

BRITISH/IRISH ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Florence Pugh

BRITISH/IRISH ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Robert Pattinson

YOUNG BRITISH/IRISH PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
Honor Swinton Byrne

BREAKTHROUGH BRITISH/IRISH FILMMAKER: The Philip French Award
Mark Jenkin – Bait

BRITISH/IRISH SHORT FILM OF THE YEAR
The Devil’s Harmony

TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood – production design, Barbara Ling

THE DILYS POWELL AWARD for EXCELLENCE IN FILM
Sally Potter

THE DILYS POWELL AWARD for EXCELLENCE IN FILM
Sandy Powell

40TH ANNIVERSARY AWARD
Aardman

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