Power of the Dog, West Side Story bag top Golden Globe awards at an off-screen ceremony

Dark Western The Power of the Dog and a remake of West Side Story won the biggest awards on Sunday at a diminished Golden Globes ceremony held privately without the usual glitzy line-up of Hollywood’s top television and movie stars.

The Power of the Dog: Best Motion Picture Drama and Director on Netflix

West Side Story: Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy on Amazon Prime

Encanto: Best Motion Picture Animated on Disney+Hotstar

Succession: Best TV series (Drama), best actor for Jeremy Strong, and best supporting actress for Sarah Snook on Disney+Hotstar

The Underground Railroad: Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television on Amazon Prime

Actors, directors and film studios largely ignored the Globes this year after criticism in 2021 that its organisers, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), operated with questionable ethics policies and no Black members. Long-time broadcaster NBC opted not to air this year’s awards. Those awarded were revealed via social media and a live blog.

Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, a tale of young love set among rival street gangs, was named best musical or comedy film. Released by Walt Disney Co, the film earned three trophies overall, including best actress for Rachel Zegler. Netflix’s The Power of the Dog also won three awards, including best director for Jane Campion.

Other acting honours went to Will Smith for playing the determined father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams in King Richard and Nicole Kidman for her role as Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos.

“Thank you for the acknowledgement!” Kidman, one of few winners to acknowledge their award, wrote on Instagram.

Andrew Garfield won a best actor award for his role as playwright Jonathan Larson in musical Tick, Tick… Boom! For television, cutthroat corporate family saga Succession received the best drama award and Hacks, about a fading female comedian, was crowned best comedy. Netflix led all studios with four film awards. HBO and HBO Max landed the most television honours, with six.

Journey of change

Mj Rodriguez was named best TV drama actress for Pose. It was the first Golden Globe given to a transgender actress. “Wow! … Thank you!” she wrote on Instagram. “This is the door that is going to open the door for many more young talented individuals.”

West Side Story stars Zegler and Ariana DeBose, who won best supporting actress, also acknowledged their wins.

“There is still work to be done, but when you’ve worked so hard on a project—infused with blood, sweat, tears and love—having the work seen and acknowledged is always going to be special. Thank you,” DeBose tweeted.

The Globes normally draw millions of TV viewers to a celebrity-filled red carpet and champagne-fuelled dinner that makes for a glamorous, yet informal contrast to the Academy Awards, the industry’s highest film honours.

In the past, winning a Globe provided a boost to movies making a run for the Oscars. This year, the significance is less clear. Awards-watchers will follow closely other upcoming award ceremonies like the Screen Actors Guild and Producers Guild of America ahead of the March 27 Oscars.

Critics had objected to the HFPA not having any Black members and raised questions over whether close relationships with Hollywood studios influenced the selection of nominees and winners. In May, Tom Cruise returned the three Golden Globe statuettes he had won. — Reuters