The Golden Globes have been undergoing a reformulation phase for the past couple of years. In 2023, what were once considered some of the most prestigious film and television awards, alongside the Oscars and the Emmys, were faced with the revelation that their voting system was unfair. Since then, the organization has reevaluated its foundations, emphasizing an element that should never have been absent from the gala: the recognition of good films.
Lack of diversity. Throughout this decade, some have raised concerns regarding the awards’ underrepresentation of diverse voices. In 2021, Netflix and Amazon, later joined by WarnerMedia, threatened to cut ties with the Golden Globes due to the lack of diversity among the voters–the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which consists of 86 film journalists from 55 countries. Additionally, the Los Angeles Times uncovered several irregularities in the awards selection process, calling the entire voting system into question.
No air time. In response, the Golden Globes organization acted swiftly, stating that it was attentive to the “concerns about the changes our association needs to make.” However, the situation escalated further.
The biggest crisis in the awards’ history occurred in May 2021. In light of the controversies, NBCUniversal announced that it wouldn’t broadcast the 2022 ceremony. This announcement ended NBC’s relationship with the Globes, which had started in 1958. In the meantime, the awards organization pledged to increase its membership by 50%, prioritizing the inclusion of journalists from underrepresented racial groups to enhance diversity.
Actors speak out. The next major development against the Golden Globes came from the award winners themselves. Notable figures like Shonda Rhimes and Mark Ruffalo voiced their support for the protests, while Tom Cruise even returned his three trophies. In the end, the 2022 gala was held at the Beverly Hilton as a 90-minute private event without any celebrities, press, or public attendees.
Change of ownership. The situation took a drastic turn when Eldridge Industries CEO Todd Boehly acquired the HFPA in July 2022. However, this change didn’t alleviate ethical concerns. The organization is now for-profit, offering its members an annual salary of $75,000 and limiting access to outside journalists. To enhance voting diversity, these will only be invited on an ad hoc basis. Despite these issues, signs of change emerged when NBCUniversal announced it would resume broadcasting the gala after a year’s hiatus.
Shaking up the film industry. With these changes, the Golden Globes are also shifting their focus. They’re now favoring auteur cinema rather than the star-studded Hollywood of previous years, which had led to controversial nominations, such as for The Tourist in 2011. This year’s awards have notably celebrated films like The Brutalist, Shōgun, and Emilia Pérez. These movies have received critical acclaim and embody a classic Hollywood style that includes period costumes, lengthy runtimes, and strong performances. This marks a significant turnaround for an awards show that had been struggling. It also suggests the potential for a more promising future.
Image | Golden Globes
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