Nominated in eight categories, the film The Banshees of Inisherin dominated on Monday 12 December 2022 Golden Globe nominationswho are trying to get out of the scandals of racism, sexism and corruption that have destroyed their prestige.
The lead actor in this shrill Irish comedy, Colin Farrell, and its director, Martin McDonagh, are on the shortlist, while the feature will compete for the title of best comedy of the year at the January 10 ceremony.
With six nominations, the surreal comedy Everything everywhere all at oncewhere Michelle Yeoh portrays a mother exhausted by paperwork and daily hassle, suddenly plunged into parallel universes, will be a serious contender.
The feature film Babylon about the Golden Age of Hollywood and underwear The Fabelmans by Steven Spielberg also earned five nominations each.
But more than the nominees, it’s the attitude of Hollywood’s elite towards the Golden Globes that will be the focus of all attention at this 80th ceremony. Because these awards, which open the film awards season in the United States and are traditionally the most watched after the Oscars, have lost much of their luster due to multiple scandals.
Boycott
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which makes up their judging panel, has been in an uproar over revelations in early 2021 about its questionable practices.
Faced with allegations of racism, sexism and corruption, all of Hollywood distanced themselves during the last January ceremony. The Golden Globes were then awarded without an audience or television, and announced only on Twitter.
But after carefully pushed reforms, the HFPA hopes to break the rut. Its historical partner, the chain NBCagreed to rebroadcast the 2023 ceremony.
Whether or not the named stars are ready to dub this comeback remains to be seen.
Nominated on Monday for his role as an obese teacher and a home recluse in The whaleactor Brendan Fraser, warned in advance that he would boycott the ceremony. “It’s because of the history I have with them. And my mother didn’t raise me as a hypocrite” he recently told the magazine GQ the actor, who accuses the former HFPA president of sexually assaulting him in 2003.
The former leader in question, Philip Berk, who denies the accusation, was fired from the organization for calling “Black Lives Matter” a “hateful racist movement”.
Reforms
Another protester, Tom Cruise, who had returned his three Golden Globes, was snubbed by the HFPA in his nominations on Monday, despite his essential performance in Top Gun: nonconformistwhich was a box office hit.
The film was however nominated in two categories, just like another blockbuster, Avatar: the water way. ElvisBaz Luhrmann’s whimsical biopic of the life of rock ‘n’ roll king Elvis Presley earned three nominations.
In the face of controversy, the organization has significantly revamped its membership, including 103 new entrants.
The Golden Globe judging panel is now made up of 52% women and 51.5% people from ethnic minorities. The HFPA has also barred its members from accepting luxury gifts and fully paid-for hotel stays from studios courting their entries.
“It’s actually not the old HFPA anymore”, its president Helen Hoehne assured the Hollywood Reporter.
“I respect Brendan Fraser’s decision. […] And personally, I sincerely hope there is a way to move forward and regain Mr. Fraser’s trust, as well as the trust of the entire audiovisual industry.she added.
But in Hollywood, some remain sceptical. In July, the non-profit HFPA announced it would hand over the organization of the Golden Globes to a company set up by American billionaire Todd Boehly. The terms of this agreement provide for the payment of an annual salary to HFPA members.
