Black-Led Ensemble Films Shut Out of Golden Globe’s Best Picture Race

When the nominations for the 78th Annual Golden Globes were announced on February 3, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) did not nominate a single Black-led ensemble film for Best Motion Picture – Drama. 

This means Oscar-buzzy films like Da 5 Bloods, One Night in Miami, Judas and the Black Messiah, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom were shut out of the race. Instead, The Father (Sony Pictures Classics), Mank (Netflix), Nomadland (Searchlight Pictures), Promising Young Woman (Focus Features), and The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Netflix) took home the Best Drama nominations.

This marks the second year in a row that the HFPA has failed to nominate a Black-led ensemble film for the award. This oversight follows a year of Black Lives Matter protests and calls for supporting Black stories.

The Golden Globes, never the most racially attuned bunch, just blanked all of this year’s black-led ensembles in Best Drama: No DA 5 BLOODS, no ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI, no MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM or JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH

— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) February 3, 2021

BIG FAT MASSIVE SNUB: NONE of the BLACK-LED ENSEMBLE films were nominated for BEST PICTURE DRAMA — NOT “MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM,” “DA 5 BLOODS,” “ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI,” “JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH” (and “DA 5 BLOODS” was completely SHUT OUT!) #GoldenGlobes

— Scott Mantz (@MovieMantz) February 3, 2021

While One Night in Miami, Judas and the Black Messiah, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom picked up nominations in other categories, Da 5 Bloods was not nominated in any category. This means the film’s writer, producer, and director Spike Lee was snubbed in three races. 

Satchel and Jackson Lee, the children of Spike Lee, were named Golden Globe Ambassadors on January 31.

The film centers on four Vietnam War veterans as they return to Vietnam in search of the body of their squad leader. Da 5 Bloods stars Delroy Lindo and Chadwick Boseman. 

“Da 5 Bloods” and “I May Destroy You” are remarkable projects — some of the best work of the past year, by far.

It’s ridiculous they got snubbed by the Globes.

— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️‍🌈 (@cmclymer) February 3, 2021

One Night in Miami picked up one nomination for director Regina King and two for Leslie Odom Jr. – for Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Song. 

The film is a fictional depiction of an imagined meeting of Sam Cooke, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, and Jim Brown.

How was One Night in Miami not nominated for best picture…#GoldenGlobes2021

— Riesha Ramlal (@RieshesPieces) February 3, 2021

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is an adaptation of August Wilson’s play of the same name. The filmed earned two nominations: Viola Davis for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama and Chadwick Boseman for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama.

The film was Boseman’s final film performance before his death on August 28, 2020.

Very happy to see Chadwick and Viola nominated. I wish Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was nominated for Best Picture though because it was one of the best films Netflix put out last year.

— that’s rough buddy (@cutebuttired1) February 4, 2021

Daniel Kaluuya was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the biographical drama, Judas and the Black Messiah. The film tells the story of William O’Neal’s betrayal of Fred Hampton, the then-chairman of the Black Panther Party. 

D’Mile, H.E.R., and Tiara Thomas picked up the film’s second nomination for Best Original Song.

judas and the black messiah should have gotten a best picture and director golden globe nom. lakeith should have gotten a nom. the score should have gotten a nom. and daniel kaluuya deserves all the flowers!!!!

— Jodie (@MissJodie) February 3, 2021

The HFPA did not just snub Black-led ensemble films, but Black stories and Black performers in both the film and television categories as a whole.

The 78th Golden Globes will air on February 28 at 8 p.m.