You could've made an Oscars highlights reel with just Spike Lee at this year's show.
The BlacKkKlansman director had a big night, winning his first competitive award (following an Honorary Award in 2016) and providing some of the night’s most memorable moments.
First, when he accepted the award for Best Adapted Screenplay from longtime friend Samuel L Jackson.
Our favorite #Oscars moment of the night. Congrats to first-time #AcademyAward winner Spike Lee! #BlacKkKlansman https://t.co/S1xtbQhxYo— BlacKkKlansman (@BlacKkKlansman) 1551069251
And later, when he struggled to hide his frustration at Green Book’s Best Picture win and left his seat.
In a world of GREEN BOOK winning Best Picture, be Spike Lee. #Oscars https://t.co/VF8uixZY0g— Ashley 🌱 (@Ashley 🌱) 1551077667
Lee also used his win to make a heartfelt political speech calling on the US to "regain its humanity" and celebrating his ancestors, who lived through slavery and segregation.
He said:
Before the world tonight, I give praise to our ancestors who have built this country into what it is today along with the genocide of its native people. We all connect with our ancestors. We will have love and wisdom regained, we will regain our humanity. It will be a powerful moment.
The 2020 presidential election is around the corner. Let’s all mobilise. Let’s all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Let’s do the right thing! You know I had to get that in there.
The speech was a clear standout during a show that left many with mixed feelings.
And Lee was praised for using the opportunity to make a political statement.
Spike Lee is saying what needs to be said, tracking the 400 years of violence against Black Americans, naming the w… https://t.co/rVq5EIWfbb— Women's March (@Women's March) 1551064867
Spike Lee wins an Oscar..and finishes up speech with... “Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Let’s do the right thing.” 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾— MarkJonesESPN (@MarkJonesESPN) 1551064904
Spike Lee winning an Oscar is something I've wanted to see for 30+ years. In part so he could give a speech like th… https://t.co/lTI3nf7x76— Jesse Wente (@Jesse Wente) 1551064738
Even though he didn't mention him by name, the speech clearly hit a nerve with Donald Trump.
As well as making an important point, Lee also had a hand in some of the night’s funniest moments.
Whether he was swerving questions about his reaction to Green Book’s win.
Spike Lee's thoughts on that Best Picture win? "Let me take another sip. NEXT QUESTION!" 👀 😂 #Oscars https://t.co/iy76RvYk77— Entertainment Tonight (@Entertainment Tonight) 1551072119
Or when Jackson interrupted the ceremony to let Lee know the New York Knicks’ had finally ended their 18-game home losing streak.
Love that Samuel L. Jackson just interrupted the #Oscars to tell Spike Lee that the Knicks finally snapped their… https://t.co/KILeQpr6OQ— Ryan Field (@Ryan Field) 1551064460
Lee also joked about when his 1989 film Do the Right Thing failed to pick up any awards at the Oscars in 1990 - the same year Driving Miss Daisy won Best Picture.
"Everytime somebody's driving somebody, I lose," Spike Lee just said in the #Oscars press room.— Michael Nordine (@Michael Nordine) 1551070742
Do the Right Thing didn't receive a nomination for Best Picture or Best Director that year, despite being acclaimed by critics, which caused some outrage at the time.
As Spike Lee celebrates his first Oscar nominations for Best Director and Best Picture, I'm reminded of the 1989 Os… https://t.co/u2vjYITagc— Kyle Buchanan (@Kyle Buchanan) 1548174891
Now, it's often listed as one of the greatest films of all time - which explains why Lee doesn't seem too bothered about not winning Best Picture for BlacKkKlansman.
Or to put it in his own words:
Whether we won Best Picture or not, this film will stand the test of time being on the right side of history.