Although Barbenheimer was the top story at the box office in 2023, the upcoming year brings a different kind of competition as the two popular movies vie for awards. This rivalry will begin this weekend at the Golden Globes.
Greta Gerwig’s comedy film Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s drama Oppenheimer have both received eight and seven nominations, respectively, making them the top contenders at this year’s awards. Although they are competing in different categories (comedy/musical and drama), it is expected that these two films will dominate the evening. In the previous year, these films collectively earned over $2 billion worldwide.
The Globes, which have faced negative publicity due to recent exposés and allegations of corruption and limited diversity, will receive a valuable increase in commercial interest. The 2022 awards show lacked celebrity attendance and a television network, and although there was a glamorous televised event last year, doubts about the future remain.
In the past year, the Globes has transitioned into a for-profit group and has gained 215 new voters, increasing its total membership to 310. In January 2021, the membership was only 87 and did not include any Black members. However, the current number shows that 58% of members identify as ethnically diverse. The president, Helen Hoehne, now refers to it as “the most culturally diverse major awards organization” in the industry.
The number of countries represented by voters has increased to 76. This year’s nominations feature a diverse selection of international films, such as Anatomy of a Fall, Fallen Leaves, The Boy and the Heron, and The Zone of Interest.
This year marks several noteworthy achievements, including Ali Wong and Steven Yeun becoming the first actors of Asian descent to be acknowledged in the limited TV series category for their roles in Beef. Lily Gladstone, starring in Killers of the Flower Moon, is also the first Native American actor to receive a nomination for best actress and is highly anticipated to win.
In the race for the best drama category, Scorsese’s historical film will face tough competition from Oppenheimer. Both movies are considered top contenders, as well as their lead actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Cillian Murphy who will also go head-to-head for the best actor award. They will be joined by Bradley Cooper, who is highly anticipated for his portrayal of Leonard Bernstein in the biopic Maestro.
Barbie will be up against some tough competition in the comedy/musical categories, including Poor Things, Yorgos Lanthimos’s unique sequel to The Favourite featuring Emma Stone, and The Holdovers, a holiday-themed story starring Paul Giamatti.
Gerwig, Nolan, and Scorsese are in contention for the best director award.
The concluding season of Succession is expected to excel in the drama category on TV, while Abbott Elementary and The Bear are likely to share comedy awards.
During the evening, two additional awards will be presented for the best television standup comedian and for box office success. This could potentially result in Taylor Swift receiving her first Golden Globe for her popular “Eras” tour being adapted into a film.
The announcement of comedian Jo Koy as the host for the upcoming event in December caused a bit of a chaotic rush, with only two weeks until showtime. Koy expressed his intention to use humor while still honoring and celebrating the industry, which has faced challenges and struggles. He emphasized the need to enjoy and appreciate the opportunity to be part of this event.
The upcoming Globes ceremony will be the first major red-carpet event following the conclusion of both the writers’ and actors’ strikes, as well as the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict. In October, the Globes made a donation of $75,000 to the Committee to Protect Journalists in response to the ongoing conflict. A statement was released expressing solidarity and sorrow for the tragic events that had taken place.
In past events, notable figures like Meryl Streep and Michelle Williams have given speeches with political themes, addressing issues such as Donald Trump’s presidency and limited abortion rights. The previous year also featured a special video message from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
No confirmed political involvement was observed during the ceremony on Sunday or on the red carpet, where celebrities have previously sported ribbons to show support for different causes.
The evening ensures a revival of classic Globes charm with popular celebrities scheduled to announce awards such as Oprah Winfrey, Florence Pugh, Angela Bassett, and Will Ferrell. Recipients will also be given gift bags worth an estimated $500,000, which includes a luxurious five-day trip on a yacht through Indonesian waters valued at $50,000.
According to Ricky Kirshner, the producer, those watching from home are eager to see their beloved celebrities, television programs, and films being recognized and to have an enjoyable experience. He believes that viewers are not interested in dwelling on past events at this time.
The Golden Globes are widely considered a significant indicator of the outcome of the Oscars. The nominations for the Oscars will be revealed on January 23rd.
Source: theguardian.com
