By Lisa Richwine and Danielle Broadway
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (RockedBuzz via Reuters) – ‘The Fabelmans,’ Steven Spielberg’s teen-inspired film and dark comedy ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ grabbed Best Picture awards at the Golden Globes on Tuesday as Hollywood returned to a show who had been eliminated from television due to a scandal.
‘The Fabelmans’ was named Best Drama at the star-studded ceremony in Beverly Hills. ‘Banshees of Inisherin’, the story of a feud between friends on an Irish island, won Best Musical or Comedy.
The accolades are likely to give both films a boost towards the Academy Awards in March.
Spielberg, who also won Best Director, based ‘The Fabelmans’ on his real life as a teenager dealing with his parents’ marital strife and anti-Semitism. He said that he “has been hiding this story since I was 17”.
“When I turned 74, I decided it was best that I do it now,” she said. “I’m really glad I did.”
Celebrities and broadcaster NBC had walked out on the 2022 Globes due to ethical wrongdoing by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the group that distributes the awards.
The Globes’ future was called into question after a 2021 Los Angeles Times investigation revealed the organization had no black reporters in its ranks. Some members have been accused of making sexist and racist comments and soliciting favors from celebrities and film studios.
A broader and more diverse membership and other changes by the HFPA have convinced many of TV’s biggest stars to support this year’s ceremony, which provides publicity to winners and nominees and often increases their chances for Oscars.
The show played out largely as it has in years past, except for a biting monologue from comedian and host Jerrod Carmichael who opened the show by quipping, “I’m here because I’m black.”
“One day you’re making mint tea at home. The next day you’re invited to be the black face of a warring white organization,” he said at the ceremony, which was broadcast live on Comcast Corp’s NBC network and the Peacock streaming service. .
The list of winners reflected a wide range of diversity.
“Abbott Elementary,” about teachers at a predominantly black public school, was named Best TV Comedy and received acting trophies for star and creator Quinta Brunson and supporting actor Tyler James Williams.
Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, honored for her lead role in the action film ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’, recalled being called a ‘minority’ and asked her if she could speak English at the beginning of her career.
Forty years later, “being here today has been an incredible journey and an incredible struggle, but I think it has all been worth it,” he said.
Ryan Murphy, who brought several gay and transgender stories to television, received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Best Actor went to Austin Butler for his starring role in “Elvis.” The 31-year-old seemed overwhelmed to accept the honor in front of an audience of big names in show business.
“I’m in this room with all my heroes,” Butler said. “I can’t believe I’m here.
Colin Farrell won the award for Lead Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for playing a farmer trying to mend a soured friendship in ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’. He thanked the other cast members, including “Jenny the Donkey”.
The two biggest box office hits of 2022 – ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ and ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ – were left out.
About 200 journalists and others from the international film industry voted for this year’s Globes. Among these voters, nearly 52 percent are racially and ethnically diverse, including 10 percent who are black, according to the HFPA.
“Elvis” director Baz Luhrmann told RockedBuzz via Reuters on the silver carpet at the event that he felt the HFPA had made significant changes and “really walked.”
“And we need to,” Luhrmann added, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic closed theaters and led to declining moviegoers. “Our meeting is sending a signal that it’s okay to get together for movies. That’s a good thing.”
Among other television winners is “House of the Dragon,” which took the award for Best Drama. “The White Lotus” won Best Limited Series.
Comedian Eddie Murphy accepted a lifetime achievement honor and shared his blueprint for success.
“Pay your taxes, mind your own business and keep Will Smith’s wife’s name out of your fucking mouth,” Murphy joked, referring to the actor’s infamous slap on host Chris Rock at last year’s Oscars.
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine and Danielle Broadway; Additional reporting by Rollo Ross; Editing by Mary Milliken and Jonathan Oatis)
