Three years after #OscarsSoWhite, the 2019 Golden Globes nominees are the most diverse Hollywood has ever seen. Three films by African-American directors were nominated for Best Picture, Sandra Oh’s “Killing Eve” performance and “Crazy Rich Asians” are breaking droughts for Asian-American films and actors, and Mexico’s cinematic titan, Alfonso Cuarón, has three nominations for his acclaimed drama “Roma.”
“I wouldn’t say the doors have opened for diversity. I’d say diversity broke the door down,” Cuarón told TheWrap shortly after the nominations were announced.
For his whole career, Cuarón has had one foot in Hollywood and the other in the Mexican filmmaking community. He’s made blockbusters like “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” and “Gravity” — the latter won him an Oscar — but he’s also made films deeply rooted in his heritage like “Y Tu Mama Tambien.” “Roma” is a film that belongs at the top of the second category, inspired by the director’s childhood and by the caretaker who looked after him and who inspires the film’s protagonist, Cleo.
Though on its face it doesn’t seem to be similar to “Crazy Rich Asians” or “Black Panther,” all three have been embraced by audiences who are now seeing themselves represented on screen at a rate that has been unprecedented in mainstream culture. For Cuarón, making “Roma” was all about introspection, examining specific elements of his childhood from an adult perspective.
But as the film made the festival circuit and goes through its limited theatrical run before hitting Netflix next week, Cuarón says he’s been surprised by how many people have told him that they have had someone like Cleo in their lives.
“It hasn’t just been Mexicans who’ve told me this. I’ve had people from many different countries and backgrounds tell me how Cleo reminds them of somebody that wasn’t in their family but took care of them as a child,” he said. “It speaks to the universality of the human experience in ways I never expected.”
Click here for TheWrap’s Oscar issue cover story on how Cuarón and lead star Yalitza Aparicio came together to film one of the most acclaimed movies of 2018. “Roma” is now playing in select theaters and will stream on Netflix on December 14.
Golden Globes Snubs and Surprises, From 'Handmaid's Tale' to Sacha Baron Cohen
The 2019 Golden Globes nominations certainly surprised, with "Vice" leading the way in nods among movies -- shutting out some other deserving nominees in the process. Here are some of the biggest surprises and snubs from Thursday morning.
SURPRISE: Sacha Baron Cohen, "Who Is America?"
Sacha Baron Cohen's nod for his controversial Showtime satire "Who Is America?" was quite the shock -- especially because the comedian's nom helped push Ted Danson out of the running for "The Good Place."
Showtime
SNUB: No songs from "Mary Poppins Returns"
While Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda got nominated for their work in Disney's "Mary Poppins" reboot, none of the new, original songs in the musical got recognized, in favor of songs by Troye Sivan, Dolly Parton, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga and Annie Lennox.
Disney
SURPRISE: Rosamund Pike, "A Private War"
Rosamund Pike upset a huge field of actresses, including Viola Davis for "Widows," for her work as war correspondent Marie Colvin in "A Private War."
Keith Bernstein/Aviron
SNUB: Ryan Gosling and Damien Chazelle, "First Man"
With the exception of Claire Foy and its score from Justin Hurwitz, Damien Chazelle's "First Man" was almost entirely shut out of the Golden Globes race, including star Ryan Gosling as astronaut Neil Armstrong.
Universal
SURPRISE: Elsie Fisher, "Eighth Grade"
The teenage Elsie Fisher has been a dark horse for her work in Bo Burnham's "Eighth Grade," but we're happy to see she made the cut in the comedy and musical category with the Globes. Gucci!
A24
SNUB: Ethan Hawke, "First Reformed"
Ethan Hawke gave one of the best performances of his career in Paul Schrader's "First Reformed," leading many to believe he would be a dark horse contender. Not so this year.
A24
SURPRISE: Lucas Hedges, "Boy Erased"
Lucas Hedges was great in two films this year, "Ben Is Back" and "Boy Erased," so we're glad the one didn't cancel out the other.
Focus Features
SNUB: Sterling K. Brown and "This Is Us"
NBC's ratings and critical darling got no love from the HFPA Thursday, shaking things up after Sterling K. Brown grabbed a Best Actor win last year. "This Is Us" scored several previous acting noms, along with a nod for Best Drama series for both of its first two seasons.
NBC
SURPRISE: "The Alienist"
TNT's drama "The Alienist" had a big showing, including for Best Drama and for Best Actor in a Drama series, star Daniel Bruhl. The series' inclusion in the possible winners pool is a bit of a surprise, seeing as "The Alienist" only grabbed one Emmy after receiving six nominations
TNT
SNUB: "The Handmaid's Tale"
While actresses Elisabeth Moss and Yvonne Strahovski both got nods, the Hulu adaptation did not, despite winning the award for Best TV series drama last year.
Hulu
SURPRISE: John C. Reilly, "Stan & Ollie"
It was a good year for John C. Reilly, who starred in "The Sisters Brothers" and "Ralph Breaks the Internet" in addition to the not-yet-released "Stan & Ollie," in which he stars opposite Steve Coogan as one half of the famous comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.
Sony Pictures Classics
SNUB: "Cold War"
A luscious, foreign language darling from Poland and thought to be a strong contender in the Oscar race considering its director previously won the prize for "Ida," the black and white drama "Cold War" was left out in the cold by the Globes.
Amazon Studios
SNUB: Yorgos Lanthimos, "The Favourite"
"The Favourite" had a big showing for its actors Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz, and even for its screenplay, but surprisingly not so for its director, the Greek Yorgos Lanthimos.
Fox Searchlight
SURPRISE: Candice Bergen
Bergen's nomination for "Murphy Brown" is definitely out of left field, seeing as CBS' revival of the '90s sitcom's reboot has been seeing low Nielsen ratings and didn't receive a back order for additional episodes.
CBS
SNUB: "Atlanta"
While Donald Glover was nominated for his work as an actor, his show "Atlanta" failed to earn a nomination in the Best Comedy or Musical category, despite winning the prize for its first season two years ago.
FX
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Sterling K. Brown, Ryan Gosling and the songs of “Mary Poppins Returns” were some of those left out
The 2019 Golden Globes nominations certainly surprised, with "Vice" leading the way in nods among movies -- shutting out some other deserving nominees in the process. Here are some of the biggest surprises and snubs from Thursday morning.