I haven’t seen Queen & Slim yet, but I will and I’m looking forward to it. Considering some of the critical reaction to the film, I wasn’t crazy-surprised that Q&S was snubbed entirely for Golden Globe and SAG nominations. I thought it was interesting that Cynthia Erivo – who played Harriet Tubman in Harriet – was shortlisted for both SAG and Globe Best Actress nominations. It’s that old joke/truth in Hollywood, that the only way for a black actor to get nominated for anything is to play a slave or some kind of historical figure. Meanwhile, the Hollywood establishment generally ignores films about the modern black experience, from Spike Lee’s joints to Fruitvale Station, and now Queen & Slim. Turns out, Q&S director Melina Matsoukas has a heads-up that no one from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association was even going to screenings of Q&S:
Director Melina Matsoukas didn’t bother to set her alarm for the Golden Globes announcement Monday. When she woke up on Dec. 9 to the news that her movie, “Queen & Slim,” a powerful drama about a young black couple forced to go on the run after a fatal encounter with a racist cop, hadn’t received a single nomination, she wasn’t surprised. She’d already been warned by her team that the membership of Hollywood Foreign Press Assn., comprised of about 90 international journalists who vote on the Golden Globes, had skipped multiple screenings of “Queen & Slim” that had been set for them.
“We held three screenings for the HFPA and almost no members attended,” Matsoukas told Variety. “For me, it’s reflective of their voting body. It’s not reflective of the society in which we live in or the industry as it stands today. They don’t value the stories that represent all of us, and those stories are so often disregarded and discredited, as are their filmmakers… It’s extremely discouraging. It’s extremely infuriating. And it just represents an archaic system that is full of people who don’t value us.”
A representative for the HPFA disputes the claim that members didn’t watch the film. All voters had been sent screeners and could have seen it at home. “The HFPA maintains that ‘Queen & Slim’ was in the conversation amongst the membership,” the organization told Variety in a statement.
It’s easy enough to take this on an individual level, a case-by-case level and say “maybe Queen & Slim just wasn’t good enough” or “maybe Greta Gerwig didn’t deserve a Best Director nomination” etc. But the broad strokes are the same as ever – no women in the directing category and no women in the screenplay category, and almost all of the Best Picture nominees are stories about dudes. It’s a culture of misogyny and racism. It’s institutionalized and systemic. And I believe that HFPA members probably didn’t even watch Q&S.
Photos courtesy of WENN/Avalon.
This unfortunately does not surprise me. Again, Hollywood loves those slave movies and other movies where there’s a white savior (The Help, Green book).
I believe her and I believe that none of those voters were interested in seeing that movie because they couldn’t relate to it or some other dumb excuse. POC always have to jump higher and further than anyone only to have the door slammed in our faces and being dismissed or ignored when we complain about the blatant bias we experienced
To all those black female directors: continue doing what you do.
The irony is the black community was very displeased with Harriet and its fantastical overtures. It’s unsurprising that this is the movie the HFPA chose to recognize over a movie that portrays our activism and self determination. Unsurprising. Thanks for calling it what is is Kaiser
Coming down here to say the same thing.
I had major issues with Q&S and I know a lot of other black ppl who did as well. Having said that – this standard that black filmmakers are held to is designed to hold them back. If Greenbook – mediocre film about race directed by two white guys can be awardees or at least recognized – then a mediocre film about race by two black women can as well.
As a struggling female screenwriter who eventually would love to direct, this is very saddening. The fact that only 5 female directors have ever been nominated is just shameful. I was hoping this year with the plethora of female directors maybe this would change. Does anyone think we hope for the Academy to take notice this year?
Or the DGA’s? I dont know. I suppose there is still a chance that Greta might slip in, but its seeming more and more unlikely. The front runners seem to be Bong Joon Ho, Martin Scorcese, Quentin Tarantino & then maybe Sam mendes or Noah Baumbach for the 4th and potential 5th spot. And even if one those people misses, I would say that someone like Todd Phillips, or Taika waititi or Pedro Almodovar have a good shot too…so *shrugs*.
Its the same with Waves. Another black film that isnt a slave movie that is being shut out awards season. At least Lupita got in for SAG.
F*ck ’em. We should start our own awards. Females only. I thought we were living in cancel culture. If ever there was a real reason……..
That is an amazing idea! I’m on board!
I think having a Women’s Film Awards is a great idea! Maybe the only way to get some notice and traction. I hope somebody in Hollywood takes this idea and runs with it!!
I love this idea.
“They don’t value the stories that represent all of us, and those stories are so often disregarded and discredited, as are their filmmakers… It’s extremely discouraging. It’s extremely infuriating. And it just represents an archaic system that is full of people who don’t value us.”
She is not wrong!
Best movies for me this year: Parasite, Marriage Story, The Body Remember When the World Broke Open, Antigone, The Marion Stokes Project. There is a whole world outside of Hollywood. That is where the art and the truth is happening. ALSO can’t wait to see Queen and Slim.
Oh and “the last black man in San Francisco”
Thanks for these recommendations Ooshpick. 🙂
Hang on this entire award show is based on the opinion of just 100 journalists? What the hell
Well the thing is, after the all male directors backlash, THFP said their choice was based on talent. But how can that be true when they didn’t even screen all the contenders? Opportunity is artist of color biggest hurdle and they are not getting over them anytime soon.
Golden globes are kind of a joke. They’ve become a big deal in the last decade because of awards shows becoming popular on tv and they are seen as precursor to Oscars, but 30 or 40 years ago no one paid much attention to GG. Women director situation isn’t going to change until women are directing a lot more of the movies and tv. Right now they’re about 5 percent. It’s a travesty and unlike law and medical schools which are now over 50% female, Hollywood remains stuck in the 70’s.
This movie was amazing, heartbreaking, and so well done all around.
I am glad that more people are speaking about and educating others on these issues. CW who was ignorant of so many things. You are 100% right about the misogyny and racism in hollywood.
i will watch anything with daniel kaluuya. won’t even bother watching the globes because ‘when they see us’ is a work of art, and it’s unforgivable that they omitted it.
I saw it last month loved it and will see when it comes here to London next month. The soundtrack acting direction all very good. I am sure it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but it moved me.