While they honor both movies and TV, the Globes are most watched as bellwether for the Academy Awards. However, the traditional prize season has been disrupted by the coronavirus, from the release of movies via streaming services to the shifting of the calendar for these events further into 2021.
Following one of the more criticized nomination decisions, “Minari” – an American production about a Korean family in Arkansas – was voted best foreign language film, as the HFPA chose it to classify it.
On television, Netflix’s ‘The Crown’ was voted best drama by Globes voters for the second time (the latest coming in 2017), amid a wave of victories from British talent, including Josh O’Connor and Emma Corrin for playing of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. “Schitt’s Creek” followed its final season sweep at the Emmys by taking another trophy for best comedy.
More importantly, the broadcast followed the Los Angeles Times’ coverage of questionable ethical behavior by members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association – the award-giving group that has long been the subject of such controversies – and the complete lack thereof. of black members, sparking criticism from some of the big Hollywood figures.
Notably, the first two awards of the evening both went to black stars: Daniel Kaluuya, for the historical drama “Judas and the Black Messiah”; and John Boyega, for an episode in the Amazon anthology “Small Ax.” The cartoon award also went to a film with a predominantly African American cast, “Soul,” which premiered on the Disney + streaming service. The film was also honored for the best original score.
Neither addressed the controversy directly, although Fey and Poehler did, calling on the HFPA to address the lack of inclusivity in its ranks, during an alternate monologue in which Fey referred to the group as’ 90s international, non-black journalists ‘and’ European weirdos. “
Few of the award recipients or presenters made reference to the problems of the HFPA, although “This is Us” star Sterling K. Brown began his introduction wryly by saying, “It’s great to be Black – back – at the Golden Globes. “
The otherwise empty ballrooms were populated by masked first responders, while nominees watched at home. However, the cutouts with all the nominees were of an awkward quality, and Kaluuya’s feed was experiencing technical difficulties before delivering his acceptance.
The organizers of the ceremony indicated in advance that they would raise this last concern within the broadcast, but three members spoke about doing better only in the broadest sense. “We look forward to a more inclusive future,” concluded Turkish journalist Ali Sar.
NBC, which pays millions each year for rights to broadcast the ceremony, has no comment on the HFPA and the latest concerns surrounding it.
Not surprisingly, politicians took part in the ceremony. Mark Ruffalo made a passionate plea for the environment and greater harmony after “the horrific dark storm we have witnessed,” while writer-director Aaron Sorkin cited the importance of defending democracy in the face of the Capitol uprising at 6 January. .