In her emotionally-charged speech, Lupita thanked McQueen for his honest portrayal of a dark issue, saying: "It does not escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is thanks to so much pain in someone else's. I want to salute the spirit of Patsey, for her guidance and for Solomon... Thank you for telling her story and your own."
Both producer-director McQueen and co-producer Brad Pitt also paid tribute to the heroic story of Northup. McQueen dedicated the honor to those who suffered slavery and "the 21 million who still endure slavery today." "Everyone deserves not just to survive, but to live. This is the most important legacy of Solomon Northup," McQueen said as he accepted the Oscar from Will Smith. "It has been an absolute privilege to work on Solomon Northup's story," Pitt added.
Cuaron's film had a clean sweep in technical categories by winning film editing, sound editing, sound mixing, visual effects, cinematography and original score besides winning the best director award for the Mexican helmer. He also shared the editing award with Mark Sanger.
Cuaron, 52, thanked his leading lady Sandra Bullock after winning best director trophy. "Sandy, you are 'Gravity'. You are the soul, heart of the film, the most amazing collaborator and one of the best people I've ever met. George Clooney, for your absolute trust." Blanchett, 44, who won best actress for playing a broke but snobbish heroine in Woody Allen's "Blue Jasmine', Allen, whose is once again facing sexual abuse allegations from his adopted daughter.
