Its awards season and this year’s SAG (Screen Actors Guild) awards held last Saturday played out with a distinctly different flavor to those of previous years. The night played host to a bevy of surprises and must know moments.
The outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture award was won by Spotlight, which bested Beasts of No Nation, The Big Short, Trumbo and Straight Outta Compton. When the star-struck cast took to the stage, co-stars Mark Ruffalo and Michael Keaton took the opportunity to pay homage to those sexually abused by catholic priests. “This is for every Flint, Michigan, in the world. This is for the powerless.”
There has been significant controversy in the acting community since the #OscarsSoWhite debate. This led to a big surprise when Idris Elba won the night earning not just one but two awards for his work in Beasts of No Nation in which he won best male support and outstanding performance in a miniseries for his work in Luther. Elba did not comment directly on the issue but he did quip “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to diverse TV,” which inspired good laughs.
Elba was not the only person of color who took home a prize. Viola Davis was praised for her work in How to Get Away With Murder winning best female actor in a drama series. While renowned singer Queen Latifah proved her abilities as an actor earning an award for her outstanding performance on the TV movie Bessie.
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reunited on stage where they poked fun at this years Oscar nominated films such as Carol and The Revenant before going on to present comedy star Carol Burnett with the lifetime achievement award. The comedian herself caused quite a stir on the red carpet through a most nontraditional choice of slippers as her choice for footwear.
Jeffrey Tambor won an award for his work in the comedy Transparent, amusingly presenter Jason Bateman who played Tambor’s son in Arrested Development welcomed him on stage with “Get up here, Dad,” Tambor himself and Alicia Vikander during their individual speeches both paid respect to people in the transgender community.
For his work in The Revenant Leonardo DiCaprio won best actor. “I’m truly humbled by this because it comes from all of you, my fellow actors,” He was also quoted adding helpful advice. “For any young actors out there, I encourage you to watch the history of cinema; you realize we all stand on the shoulders of giants.”
