Awards season officially began with the Golden Globes, which the Hollywood Foreign Press Association gives to the best in film and television. (Many even consider them the precursors to the Oscars because of the similarities in their recipients.) But this year’s edition was especially novel, as it not only marked the first time a superhero film won an award (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was the first film based on a comic strip to win a Golden Globe), but also saw two of the evening’s most important awards go to a movie produced by Netflix.
As expected, Roma, by Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron, was a success at the Golden Globes, winning Best Director – Motion Picture and Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language, a feat that had never before been achieved by a film produced for a streaming platform. In spite of the criticisms and doubts many in the entertainment business had regarding these types of productions, they can undeniably be as good as movies made for traditional platforms. Film and television critics, as well as audiences, all agree on this point.
This is just the start of the awards season, but this black-and-white movie about a Mexican woman who works as a nanny for a well-to-do family has already earned many prizes. Experts say Roma could be nominated for (and win) an Oscar in any of the following categories: Best Foreign Language Film, Best Director, Best Photography and Best Actress.
As for television, the Golden Globes had already been charmed by productions from Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and Netflix. This year, Netflix’ series The Kominsky Method won Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy, and Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy went to one of its stars, Michael Douglas. Richard Madden, from the same service’s The Bodyguard, won Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama. Another example is miniseries Homecoming, made for Amazon Prime Video and starring Julia Roberts, who was also nominated for a Golden Globe. All these actors have solid credentials, proving headliners are not afraid of working with streaming platforms.
An Amazon production that won last year was recognized again this year. Star of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Rachel Brosnahan, better known as Miriam Maisel, won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy. And The Irishman, by acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese and scheduled premiere on Netflix, marks another production that will most likely be nominated for, and win, major awards in the near future.
The success these types of productions have had in winning some of the most important film and television awards points to the enormous advances and opportunities in streaming content. The future of media is already in our living rooms, and it’s an exciting time to be working in the industry. Let’s see what other surprises this awards season brings.