Sebastian Arbelaez
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When it comes to commemorating the dedication and brilliance found in film-making, the Oscars are still recognized as the pinnacle of award shows. What once started as a private dinner at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel has now spawned to households worldwide.

Despite expanding to a wider audience the academy has been known for giving the award for best picture to films that have been produced in the United States. To no avail, 2010 was a year devoted to harboring sequels and remakes. As a result, it was a major surprise that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) awarded “The King’s Speech” with the coveted Academy Award for Best Picture at the 83rd Academy Awards.

Directed by Tom Hopper, the British historical drama tells the story of King George VI (played by Colin Firth), who with the help of a speech therapist named Lionel Logue (played by Geoffrey Rush) overcomes a stuttering problem to lead his country in the hostile environment that was World War II.

Even with a well-rounded cast and various accolades from all parts of the world, “The King’s Speech” was among those that Director Steven Spielberg considered to be in the same list as “The Grapes of Wrath,” “Citizen Kane,” “The Graduate,” and “Raging Bull.” Nevertheless, Tom Hopper’s film out-shined the nine other films nominated for the award.

What makes the film’s awarding so special is that it became the third motion picture in over 10 years to have won the coveted best picture award with an original screenplay. At a time where remakes and sequels are the big cash grabbers at the box office, “The King’s Speech” provides the film industry with a new outlook into the works of creative screenwriters.

The film also took the awards for Best Director in a motion picture and Actor in a Leading Role. Surprisingly, this marks the first time a director and actor born outside the United States have won these awards on the same night since Geoffrey Rush and Anthony Minghella won in 1996.

After snubbing directors such Guillermo del Torro and actor’s such as Peter O’Toole from these awards, the academy has finally realized that an international presence is very significant in the film industry.

Ultimately, this victory serves audiences and up-in-coming film-makers around the country a reason to rejoice the dedication and hard work presented by these gifted artists. For a film that had a decent box office run in America, this uplifting tale of friendship and perseverance allowed moviegoers across the nation to see a different side to the underdog story. Hopefully, with four well deserved academy awards, “The King’s Speech” is able to inspire a generation of aspiring international filmmakers.