Barbra Streisand said what everyone at the Kodak Theatre seemed to be thinking Sunday night.
"Well, the time has come," Streisand said as she presented the Academy Award for Best Director to Kathryn Bigelow, the first ever Oscar for a female director.
Bigelow, who wears a red Wounded EOD Warrior bracelet on her left wrist, had downplayed her chances of an historic Oscar win all throughout awards season. But after locking up the prize, the woman behind The Hurt Locker couldn't help but acknowledge the moment.
"I hope I'm the first of many, and of course, I'd love to just think of myself as a filmmaker. And I long for the day when that modifier can be a moot point," Bigelow, 58, told the press after taking her turns on the stage. "But I'm very grateful if I can inspire some young, intrepid, tenacious male or female filmmaker and have them feel that the impossible is possible, and never give up on your dream."
Making the contest more interesting was that Bigelow's ex-husband James Cameron also was nominated for Avatar. Cameron, who won Best Director in 1997 for Titanic, was clapping loudly and could be seen saying "yes, yes," after Bigelow's name was called.
Bigelow, married to Cameron from 1989-91, declined to gloat.
"Jim is very inspiring. I think he inspires filmmakers around the world, and for that, I think I can speak for all of them. We're quite grateful," she said.
