In a year that saw Black-led ensemble films win critical praise and a string of awards, the 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards shut out Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Judas and the Black Messiah, One Night in Miami and Da 5 Bloods from the nominations in its top movie category.
None of the films received a nod for best motion picture – drama, a category often considered as a precursor for a best picture Oscar nomination.
Instead, The Father, Mank, Nomadland, Promising Young Woman, and The Trial of the Chicago 7 picked up nods Wednesday morning in the coveted best motion picture – drama category.
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While Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Judas and the Black Messiah and One Night in Miami did have some of its cast and crew get nominations for their acting and directing work, Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods was shut out of every category.
Ironically, the filmmaker’s children Jackson and Satchel will serve as this year’s Golden Globe Ambassadors—a position held by the children of industry insiders and whose duties include handing the Golden Globe statuettes to winners and escorting them off stage.
In another surprising Golden Globes snub, the critically acclaimed HBO and BBC series I May Destroy You was shut out of the TV categories. The drama follows a young woman trying to move forward after being sexually assaulted by a man she meets in a bar. The series was created, written, co-directed and executive produced by Michaela Coel.
Despite being overlooked by the Globes, Da 5 Bloods was recognized Tuesday night during the Critics Choice Association’s “Celebration of Black Cinema,” when the drama’s Delroy Lindo (who plays Paul, a pro-Trump Vietnam Veteran in the film) was honored with the career achievement award. The Spike Lee Joint was also named best film of the year by the National Board of Review.
Read the full list of this year’s Golden Globe nominations here.
