Known more recently for the controversial jokes used by its first British presenter Ricky Gervais, the Golden Globes are back with its 2012 shortlist, where an unusual film takes this year’s spotlight.
The Artist, a French movie paying homage to the classic tradition of silent film, has received six nominations for the romantic portrayal of two actors who fall in love during the demise of silent film and the uptake of cinema as we know it today. The film is due out on December 30th in the UK, and has received nominations for Best Musical or Comedy and Best Director for Michel Hazanavicus, a French director who enters British cinema relatively unknown.
The stars of the film, Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo, are both up for individual awards, too. A few familiar British stars like Tilda Swinton and Kate Winslet make appearances in what is set to be the movie blockbuster of the year, following in the footsteps of The King’s Speech and The Hurt Locker.
Ricky Gervais once again takes the helm and has made no attempt to apologise for his rather below-the-belt comedy, aimed directly at the famous faces attending the event. He is well remembered for his remarks towards recovering alcoholic Charlie Sheen soon after his dismissal from TV show Two and a Half Men.
British actress Winslet has now received a total of eight nominations at the awards, receiving two this year: one for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy, after starring in Carnage, and the second for Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries, after her role in Mildred Pierce.
It is set to be another year full of surprises for the film industry, and the Brits are flying the flag once again as our hopes are pinned on Kate Winslet taking the limelight and proving that great film does come from British acting. We wait in anticipation for the red carpet gossip and scrutiny of Gervais’s celebrity generated jokes.
