From SAG Awards to Sundance, diversity makes a comeback

“Spotlight”, a film based on the true story of investigative journalism on sexual abuse by Catholic priests, won the top prize of best ensemble cast at the 22nd Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Saturday.

The awards, seen as a bellwether of the all-important Academy Awards, were being closely watched as they were taking place amid a controversy over the lack of diversity in this year’s list of Oscar nominees.

Brie Larson, the star of the captive mother-son daughter drama “Room“, won best actress.

Elba won both of the gongs he was nominated for, collecting the best supporting actor award in a motion picture prize for his role as a warlord in Beasts Of No Nation and best actor in a TV movie or mini-series for his portrayal of Detective Chief Inspector John Luther in the BBC police drama. “He asked me to the prom, I said yes”, she wrote.

Actress Laura Prepon (C) accepts the award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for “Orange is the New Black”.

Last night’s winners of color included: Queen Latifah for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie for Bessie, Viola Davis for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for How to Get Away with Murder, Uzo Aduba for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series for Orange is the New Black (OITNB), and Idris Alba for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Beasts of No Nation and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries of Television Movie for Luther. Many felt the British actor had been overlooked in the Oscar nominations, which has no non-white nominees in the acting categories.

In a flurry of wins at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Sundance Film Festival, diversity made a comeback. Best actor in a TV comedy went to Jeffery Tambor for the acclaimed Amazon series “Transparent”. “She’s very entitled and she has a lot of money, and I would just like to dedicate this award to the non-Maura Pfeffermans that don’t have a lot of cash for their operations, for their medicine, for their freedom”, he added – a stand for advocacy built upon the series’ foundation. “I hope that anyone out there who does not come in the package that people say you should, keep fighting for it. Flip those rocks over”. Kevin Spacey won his second SAG Award for “House of Cards”.

The great comedienne Carol Burnett will accept the SAG lifetime achievement award from presenters Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. “We had to go to the southern tip of Argentina just to be able to find snow to complete the film”. The comedian-actress noted that when she wanted to do a variety show the network told her, “Comedy-variety is a man’s game”.