Director Andrij Parekh, the Indian connect in the Emmys 2020 winner roster, has won an Emmy for directing the “Hunting” episode of drama series Succession, one of the big winners at the annual gala this year. Parekh, who is of Indian-Ukrainian descent, dedicated his award to all people of colour.
An acclaimed cinematographer for 20 years, the Succession job incidentally marked his directorial debut.
“I am deeply honoured and humbled by this award. This distinction has been bestowed upon me on my birthday. So, thank you for the gift,” Parekh said while starting his acceptance speech, going on to thank the cast and crew of the show.
He dedicated the award to “all the kids whose names like mine are difficult to pronounce”.
“To those who don’t look like their classmates and are defined as outsiders, as hyphenated Americans and not simply just Americans. This is proof that you belong and this Emmy is ours,” he said.
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Incidentially, the director also received the award on his 49th birthday.
Parekh’s various assignment in the past include Half Nelson, Sugar, Blue Valentine, The Zookeeper’s Wife, 13 Reasons Why, Madame Bovary and Show Me A Hero.
He was born in Boston and raised in Minneapolis. In the past, he had shared that his Gujarati roots make him good at business, and his Slavic soul infuses an emotional element to his creative work.
“Being ‘mixed race’ and ‘other’ has lent me the unique cultural place of being an outsider — and as an outsider, I think that I’ve always ‘watched’,” Parekh said. “That’s what makes me a good cinematographer and director — I simply watch without trying to interfere too much (with actors). And people can’t pin me down with stereotypes or prejudices. So in many ways I’m free.”
Succession follows the lives of the Roy family as they contemplate their future, once the family’s aging patriarch (essayed by Brian Cox) begins to step back from their media and entertainment conglomerate.
The show also took home the top award — Best Drama Series — as well as Best Actor for Jeremy Strong. It also won awards in the Drama categories for Best Writing and Best Directing at the virtual ceremony.
IANS
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