Hollywood still facing big questions after Golden Globes
Written by News on 08/01/2018
Just moments after Oprah Winfrey ended her extraordinary, rousing speech at the Golden Globes, the systemic problems facing Hollywood were laid bare.
Natalie Portman pointed out that all of the nominees for Best Director were men.
The lack of a female contender in the category had rankled in the run-up to the awards.
Was it my imagination that the five male nominees looked very awkward as the cameras zeroed in on them?
But there was a much bigger theme that was to dominate the 75th Golden Globes.
We knew that stars would dress in black to honour the Time’s Up movement which had made its public debut a few days before.
It was also pretty safe to assume that the theme of sexual harassment post-Harvey Weinstein would end up being more important than who won the awards.
The question was how what is traditionally the most raucous of the awards shows would strike the right tone at a time when the industry is experiencing a cultural shift.
In the end they probably got it just about right.
The jokes of host Seth Meyers generally hit the mark and stayed the right side of the taste barrier.
The speeches from the likes of Oprah, Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern and Frances McDormand captured the mood of change perfectly.
That so many of the big winners on the night reflected female-driven stories helped create a night with a message.
The presence of activists representing ordinary working people alongside celebrities on the red carpet will also go a long way to demonstrating the Time’s Up ambition to represent those without a voice.
But Natalie Portman’s short and sharp interjection tells us much about how far there is to go.
There are still big questions that have not been addressed about racial diversity and the gender pay gap.
But the conversation has at least started and with awards season now in full swing this is the time to push for the change and not let the moment pass.
Between now and the Oscars in March the merits of movies and actors’ performances will take second place.
(c) Sky News 2018: Hollywood still facing big questions after Golden Globes
