The nominations for the 76th Annual Golden Globe awards are in. Amid the snubs (Widows) and head-scratchers (is Vice really a comedy?) were some important nominations and the Best Motion Picture – Drama category that’s a lot Blacker than usual.
BlacKkKlansman
Spike Lee had key words in response to his nomination for Best Director – Motion Picture.
“I found out about these Golden Globe Nominations for BlackKklansman in between advising my NYU Grad School students because I teach on Thursdays. The first word that came to mind was BOOM SHAKALAKA.” Lee, who had three nominations for Do the Right Thing in 1990, could go home with his first Golden Globe for this conversation-starting adapted tale.
John David Washington, who played the lead role of the Black police officer who infiltrated the KKK, had this to say: “Thank you, Hollywood Foreign Press Association, for this incredible honor and for your support of BlacKkKlansman. My deepest appreciation to the legendary Spike Lee – we stand on your shoulders, sir. Thank you to the most talented group of actors and the crew, and to Focus Features for their unwavering support. Most importantly — Ron Stallworth, you’re a hero. Thank you for allowing me to tell your story on the screen. This is a surreal moment, wow. Thank you.” Washington is nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama.
Also giving props to Director Spike Lee, Adam Driver said: “I’m very thankful to the HFPA and pretty blown away by all of this. To be at the Golden Globes in January representing BlacKkKlansman with Spike and John David means a great deal to me. I’m very proud to be in their company.” The actor who played Stallworth’s partner is nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture.
If Beale Street Could Talk
“I cannot even put into words how I feel right now hearing this exciting news from set. Just elated. So proud of these two amazing and beautiful projects. I’m incredibly lucky and humbled that these roles chose me. For Beale Street, honoring the words and legacy of James Baldwin is truly special,” said Regina King referring to her double nomination for Best Film Supporting Actress and Best Limited Series/TV Movie Actor for the Netflix series Seven Seconds. If King walks away with both awards, she’ll make history as the fifth actor to take two Golden Globes in one night.
Though he didn’t get a nod for directing Beale Street, Barry Jenkins earned a nomination for Best Motion Picture, Drama and Best Screenplay. His humble reaction to the nomination included a shoutout to other creators and encouragement to continue telling stories: “On behalf of the entire Beale Street family, it’s an honor to have our film recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, particularly alongside such varied and wonderful work by our peers. It’s a critical time to be telling stories and creating art that reflects the world we live in. We’ll take this recognition as an affirmation to continue to do so.”
Black Panther
Not surprisingly, powerhouse blockbuster Black Panther earned three nominations: Best Motion Picture, Drama as well as Best Original Song and Best Original Score for Kendrick Lamar and Sza’s “All the Stars.”
Lupita Nyong’o responded to the nominations by echoing many of the same sentiments that made the Marvel film a bona fide sensation and phenomenon: “I am deeply proud that ‘Black Panther’ has been recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. To see an epic, aspirational story about people of African descent told on such a global scale, to see myself and people like me reflected back to me on the screen, and to know that hundreds of millions of people have shared that same uplifting and validating experience, has been one of the greatest joys of my life. To have the film honored in this way is incredibly special and appreciated.”
Black Panther, If Beale Street Could Talk, and BlacKkKlansman are joined in the Best Motion Picture – Drama category by Bohemian Rhapsody and A Star is Born. Visit GoldenGlobes.com for the full list of nominees, and watch the 76th Golden Globe Awards on NBC on January 6.
