Golden Globes 2018 opposes harassment, gender inequality

Golden Globes was the first award gala held after the wave of sexual harassment cases involving big names like Harvey Weinstein, Ben Affleck, Brett Ratner, Charlie Sheen, Dustin Hoffman, James Toback and Kevin Spacey made news and caused outrage.

The evening began as many of Hollywood's A-listers – from Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, Alicia Vikander, Kendall Jenner, Mariah Carey, Jessica Chastain, Nicole Kidman, Mandy Moore, Heidi Klum and more – walked the red carpet in black ensembles – and extended support to Time's Up campaign, which hopes "to shift the focus back to survivors and on systemic, lasting solutions" to sexual violence.

The movement to bring in a change continued on the stage too.

Actor Nicole Kidman, who took home the award in the Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television category for her portrayal of abused housewife Celeste Wright in 'Big Little Lies', hailed the "power of women" while accepting the accolade.

Kidman noted that her 'Big Little Lies' character was in sync with the ongoing conversation in Hollywood surrounding sexual assault and harassment.

"This character I played represents something that's at the centre of our conversation: abuse," said the actor.

Elisabeth Moss, who took the Best performance by an actress in a TV series – Drama trophy for her role as Offred in 'The Handmaid's Tale' also talked about the "fight for equality and freedom in this world".

Many winners and presenters at the ceremony brought up the scandal. Host Seth Meyers opened the show with a political undertone – jokes around US President Donald Trump and sexual harassment scandals in Hollywood.

"Welcome ladies and remaining gentlemen. It's 2018 and marijuana is finally allowed and sexual harassment finally isn't," he said.

As Oprah Winfrey became the first black woman to receive the Cecil B. DeMille award, she called for – in a powerful acceptance speech – a world free of sexual abusers where nobody ever has to say 'Me too' again.

Winfrey's inspirational and moving speech drew a standing ovation from the Who's Who of Hollywood.

After talking about the dark phase, the famed talk show host, actor, producer and philanthropist said: "A new day is on the horizon."

"And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say 'Me too' again."

Actor Laura Dern, who won the Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for her role in 'Big Little Lies', Frances McDormand, and Reese Witherspoon addressed the harassment issue.

Actor Natalie Portman joined the conversation by calling out the "all-male nominees" of the Best Director category while presenting the trophy.

Sterling K Brown- Best Actor in a TV Series (This Is Us)

Aziz Ansari- Best Actor in a TV Musical/Comedy (Master Of None)

Gary Oldman- Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama (Darkest Hour)

Frances McDormand- Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri )

Alison Janney- Best Supporting Actress in Motion Picture (I, Tonya)

Saoirse Ronan- Best Actress in the Musical/ Comedy

(Lady Bird)

Ewan McGregor- Best Actor in a Television Limited Series/ Motion Picture (Fargo)

Guillermo del Toro- Best Director for Motion Picture (The Shape of Water)

Martin McDonagh- Best Screenplay (Three Billboards)

Stellan Skarsgard- Best Supporting Actor in Limited Series (Big Little Lies)

Sam Rockwell- Best Supporting Actor in Motion Picture (Three Billboards)

Rachel Brosnahan- Best Actress in a Television Comedy Series (The Marvelous Mrs Maisel)

James Franco- Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical (The Disaster Artist)