Once again, the annual Golden Globes Awards has rolled around for an exciting celebration of the previous year’s most memorable films and television shows.

Co-hosts Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg kicked off the night with a comedic opening speech including a friendly Hollywood roast and a nod to the diversity at the awards night. A high point of the night, Sandra Oh made a heart-warming and moving speech honoring the achievement of diversity in the film industry the past year telling the audience, “Right now, this moment is real?trust me, this moment is real, because I see you, all these faces of change, and now, so will everyone else.”

The large amount of diversity was something many were glad to see in this year’s Golden Globes. Multiple films that were groundbreaking with their amount of representation such as BlacKkKlansmen, Crazy Rich Asians, and Black Panther, were nominated for awards. Thomas Jang noted that he was “happy with all the diversity” throughout the night; in fact, his favorite part of the awards ceremony was Sandra Oh becoming the first Asian woman to host the Golden Globes. Regarding the awards given, the biographical film Bohemian Rhapsody did very well and took home the Best Actor and Best Picture awards respectively. Rami Malek, who plays none other than Freddie Mercury in the movie celebrating Queen, dedicated his Best Actor award to Freddie Mercury and made sure to recognize Queen musicians Brian May and Roger Taylor in the audience.

For the Best Original Song, Taylor Swift presented the award to A Star is Born cast members, including Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. The film’s original song “Shallow” won the award. Travis Mewhirter thought this award was well-deserved, saying that he “liked how Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga actually sang with their real voices throughout the movie”, which contributed greatly to the authenticity of the movie.

Accepting the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in If Beale Street Could Talk, Regina King made an important gender equality pledge. Making a moving speech, King pledged that every movie that she produces in the next two years will have 50% women. The pledge felt necessary and appropriate at a time where so many women, especially women of color, are getting recognized for their work.

Actress Carol Burnett received the Carol Burnett Award, an achievement named after her lifelong career dedicated to film and television. Steve Carell, who starred in Beautiful Boy, presented this award to Burnett, in his own serious, yet adoring way. Even the seemingly small moments throughout the night proved to be enjoyable and somewhat memorable?Rami Malek working up the courage to introduce himself to Lady Gaga, up and coming young actors Timoth?e Chalamet and Lucas Hedges catching up, and even the free flu shots Oh and Samberg gave to the audience as a gag gift.

The 2019 Golden Globes Awards proved to be more than just a simple awards ceremony. Amidst the glamor and shiny lights, we were shown with a promising future for representation and social awareness in film.

<Isabel Hahn/University High School/9th Grade>