CLAUDINE NOPPE
On 7 January the75th annual Golden Globes kicked off award season in style in Los Angeles. The event was dominated by strong and powerful women, all wearing black, in solidarity with the recently formedTime’s Up movement. This movement, focused on women’s rights, sexual harassment and assault, was formed after the numerous allegations of sexual harassment made against some prominent men in Hollywood, beginning with the allegations against Harvey Weinstein. Celebrities participating in this include the biggest names in entertainment such as Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Meryl Streep and Oprah Winfrey.
The evening proved fruitful for series and films which told the stories of abuse, discrimination and gender violence as well as those that portrayed strong women in leading roles. Big Little Lies received five nominations and walked away with four awards including Best Miniseries or TV Film. Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern and Alexander Skarsgard were rewarded for their roles in this inspirational miniseries about abuse. The hilarious The Marvelous Mrs Maisel received the award for Best Comedy Tv Series. The Marvelous Mrs Maisel focuses on a woman in the 1950’s who challenges social norms to become a stand-up comedian. Rachel Brosnahan was awarded Best Television Performance by an Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her portrayal of Miriam “Midge” Maisel. The controversial new Drama Tv Series The Handmaid’s Tale walked away with two Golden Globes for Best Television Series (Drama) and Best Television Performance by an Actress (Drama). Lady Bird,written and directed by Greta Gerwig, won the award for Best Motion Picture Comedy and secured Saoirse Ronan the award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture for her role as Lady Bird. The biggest accolade of the evening, Best Motion Picture (Drama) went to the brilliantly clever Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri which tells the story of a mother who wants to get justice for her raped and murdered daughter by taking on the authorities in Ebbing. Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama) went to lead actress, Frances McDormand for her role in Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Reese Witherspoon, who executively produced and acted in Big Little Lies, had the honor to introduce the 75th Cecil B Demille Award recipient, Oprah Winfrey. Winfrey received the award for her contribution to entertainment. Shockingly, she is the first black female recipient of this accolade, but hopefully not the last. Her acceptance speech was received with a standing ovation and vocal agreement from the crowd. Winfrey expressed her support of the Time’s Up movement by donning black and saying, “For too long, women have not been heard or believed, if they dared to speak their truth to the power of those men. But their time is up. Their time is up.”
