The conference had shifted to the larger International Ballroom of the hotel, the stated reason being COVID-19—which, to the HFPA’s credit, was taken seriously; proof of recent negative tests and vaccination were required, and oxygen and temperature were checked upon arrival—with press seated at tables on the same floor as mingling HFPA members.
Rumors began flying about a “special guest appearance.” Those in the room could hardly notice the delay, but for those logging onto the livestream to watch the noms unfold, patience was required.
It’s when the music stopped, at around 6:05 a.m., and physical attendees joined the virtual crowd in waiting, that the ballroom took on a surreal dimension.
Snoop read the first half of the nominees slowly and often hilariously, bungling the names of some famous friends and taking a pause on a few others before saying them aloud.
The HFPA is, of course, infamous for its outliers: The group predicts the majority of eventual Oscar nominees, before sprinkling in a total embrace of a critically derided flop, like the Angelina Jolie–Johnny Depp vehicle The Tourist in 2010 or, in last season’s case, the Sia–helmed Music.
I fully expected these voters to stump for Jared Leto’s Super Mario–sized transformation in House of Gucci—they nominated the actor just this year for The Little Things, a movie that really did exist.
the Machines, which was oddly snubbed, could have a gripe, but then the streamer’s The Power of the Dog dominated overall, with a surprise boost for The Lost Daughter director Maggie Gyllenhaal thrown into a competitive category.
I spoke with Hoehne following the announcement, and asked if after all was said and done—news of studios blocking the HFPA from screening their films had been followed up by reports of certain companies softening their stance and campaigning—the group was able to see every movie in contention.
Whether due to taste alignment or predictive intention, the HFPA has a strong track record in matching up with the Academy: The Globes recognized 15 of this year’s 20 Oscar-nominated actors, and last year, they missed only two.
The Globes’ marching forward with a smile and Snoop Dogg in tow, amid all the noise and controversy and perhaps tuning-out, carried a grim optimism: a gathering purporting to honor the best in the industry, but more genuinely cobbled together to keep a long-standing organization’s head above water.
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