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Friday, May 26, 2023

HOLLYWOOD--Tokenism and Inclusion-- GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS 2021

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     Hollywood Redline (IV 89451)-- "Golden Globe Award, any of the awards presented annually by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) in recognition of outstanding achievement in motion pictures and television during the previous year." (Britannica)

Tokenism--

     "Is the practice of placing or promoting individuals from disadvantaged groups (e.g. women, ethnic minorities, disabled people) into high-profile roles in the organization in order to give the impression that the organization practises equal opportunity. It represents a cynical move by managers to disguise or ignore the structures and procedures that disadvantage women, ethnic minorities, and disabled people. In this way, whilst the token individuals may benefit personally, their role does nothing to help further the cause of the disadvantaged group to which they belong." (Oxford Reference)



     Even with the new rules set down by the Academy this year regarding the Oscars, the practice of exclusion still exists, only a bit more refined. An indication of that is apparent in the various categories of the Golden Globes awards from last Sunday. In some of the major categories, minorities and women did well, but that appeared to be a coverup for the overall distribution of the trophies. 
     Forget the Best Picture and similar categories as inclusion should focus on individual performances.
In a field of five women, Andra Day won Best Actress in her performance of United States vs Billie Holiday;
     "Sunday's Globes aired amid renewed backlash about the lack of diversity among the voting body behind the awards show, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The group of Hollywood-based journalists for foreign media outlets does not count one Black voter among them, as was reported one week ahead of this year's show in the Los Angeles Times." (Hollywood Reporter)
Recently deceased Chadwick Boseman received the award for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Two other nominees with ethnic backgrounds are nonetheless from Europe. Best Actress for Motion Picture Musical/Comedy are all White; the winner, Rosamund Pike starring in I Care A Lot, from the United Kingdom. The Best Supporting Actress for a Motion Picture are all White. 
     Tokenism appears to come into play in the supporting categories with two of five in Golden Globe award for best actor, motion picture; three of five--women and minority-- for best director, motion picture. Aaron Sorkin took Best Screenplay for Trial of the Chicago 7, in a field of five males and two women, one of which with an ethnic background.  Best Actress for TV motion picture are all five White; the same holds for best actor. Best TV actress for drama, all five White; the same for best TV actor-drama. Other categories in which no inclusion was present include: TV actress musical-comedy, TV supporting actress; the Cecil B. deMille award went to Jane Fonda and the Carol Burnette award went to Norman Lear.
     Clearly, where exclusion was possible, it exists. There doesn't seem to be any direct correlation, however, to the nominees and the demands of the Academy; the results might be a larger systemic problem associated with casting itself. If there are no women, minorities and alternative lifestyle quotas filled in the films, the series and the episodes, then it makes sense that, opportunities for awards are limited indirectly. The studios can always, as indicated above, find a route around inclusion simply by not including the various underrepresented groups in the cast, or in production.
    In two weeks, the Academy Awards nominations will be announced; that will provide a better picture of just how the new rules affect those nominees, and what role tokenism might play in the selections.


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