The 78th Golden Globe Awards took place on Feb. 28. The crowd was packed with first responders and essential workers as opposed to the usual audience of celebrities. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosted from opposite sides of the country, with Fey in New York City and Poehler in Beverly Hills. The duo cracked jokes as usual then went on to discuss the lack of black members in the Hollywood Foreign Press, who choose the nominees and winners, as there are none. This became a recurring topic throughout the night on social media and at the awards. Actors such as Sasha Baron Cohen and Jane Fonda also called out the lack of representation, with Cohen thanking the “all white” foreign press for his win. 

“I think that the callouts were very necessary and that it is very saddening that there are no black representatives in the HFPA,”senior Ike Schiller said. “There needs to be a change to add more diversity.” 

Chadwick Boseman became one of seven to receive a Golden Globe posthumously, joining Heath Ledger, James Dean, Howard Ashman, Peter Finch, Spencer Tracy, and Raúl Juliá. Boseman passed from colon cancer last August, a shock for many as he kept his health issues secret. Boseman received the award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for his role in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”. This was Boseman’s first Golden Globe, and he is looking to be a big Oscar contender for the aforementioned role and his role in Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods”. His wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, accepted the award on his behalf and gave an emotional speech.

“Chadwick Boseman’s wife did an amazing job accepting the award of her late husband and carrying on his legacy,” Said Schiller said.”I can’t imagine her pain, and she continues to strongly support her husband and recognize his passion and talent.” 

Black ensemble films were left underrepresented in the nominees. Despite her directorial nomination, Regina King’s “One Night in Miami” was absent from the Best Picture nominees, along with Shaka King’s “Judas and the Black Messiah”, Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods”, and George C Wolfe’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”. In spite of this, Daniel Kaluuya’s outstanding performance in ”Judas and the Black Messiah” won him his first Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. 

“I think “Judas and the Black Messiah” should’ve been nominated, the movie was phenomenal and important, and I wish it could’ve gotten more recognition.” said Schiller.

This year’s awards was a good one for women, and broke records with the most female directors nominated. Making up three out of the five Best Director nominees was Regina King for “One Night in Miami”, Chloé Zhao for “Nomadland”, and Emerald Fennell for “Promising Young Woman”. Ava DuVernay was the last woman to be nominated in the directing category for her 2015 film, “Selma”. Zhao received the award, being the second female director to win, after Barbara Streisand for Yentl, and the first Asian woman. She was a strong fan favorite for her directing, and “Nomadland” won Best Picture as well. 

“I think Chloe Zhao’s directing was incredible and the movie was so well done and heartfelt, it was very beautiful and moving.” Schiller said.