War film ‘1917’ stuns Golden Globes as Tarantino bags most prizes
US film director Quentin Tarantino (C), poses with cast and crew of “Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood” including actors Brad Pitt (next to Tarantino) and Leonardo DiCaprio, after the film won three Golden Globes
War epic “1917” shocked the Golden Globes on Sunday by claiming the top prize for best drama film, while Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” won the most honors, massively boosting their prospects for next month’s Oscars.
“Once Upon a Time…” — an homage to 1960s Tinseltown — won three prizes including best comedy, but Martin Scorsese’s much-vaunted Netflix crime saga “The Irishman” went home empty-handed.
The Globes are the first major awards gala of the year, in a packed season that ends with the Academy Awards in just over a month’s time, so Sunday’s winners will hope to capitalize on some much-needed momentum.
“1917” follows two British soldiers through the trenches in World War I, and is filmed to look like one continuous, two-hour-long shot.
British film director Sam Mendes poses in the press room with his two Golden Globes for war epic “1917”
“Goodness me, that is a big surprise,” said stunned filmmaker Sam Mendes, who bested Scorsese and Tarantino in the crowded best director category.
Dedicating the film to his grandfather who signed up to fight aged just 17, Mendes added: “I hope he’s looking down on us and I fervently hope it never happens again.”
The film’s lead actor George MacKay — a 27-year-old relative unknown in Hollywood — told AFP he was “just thrilled, proper thrilled” when the announcement was made.
“It’s a wonderful thing. It’s truly just so brilliant for the film and everyone involved. It’s the biggest team effort ever.”
Golden Globe Awards 2020
Hollywood’s brightest stars sparkled Sunday on the red carpet at the Golden Globes, the first showbiz awards gala of 2020.
