Usually run by all the gratin of the entertainment industry, the Golden Globes, which opens the film awards season, have been deserted this year by Hollywood stars who criticize their lack of diversity and transparency.

The NBC television channel has anyway given up broadcasting the ceremony and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which is the jury for these awards, will announce, without stars or glitter, the winners on social networks. from 6:00 p.m. (02:00 GMT Monday).

"This year the Golden Globes are not going to be like any Golden Globes we have seen so far," commented Marc Malkin, culture and events editor at trade publication Variety.

"And really, we're not going to see much."

Officially, the organizers invoked the pandemic.

But, according to Malkin, "the Hollywood Foreign Press Association has tried to bring in celebrities to announce this year's Golden Globe winners."

"And no celebrity - none - said yes."

"Belfast", inspired by the Northern Irish childhood of Kenneth Branagh, and "The Power of the Dog", a dark western signed by New Zealander Jane Campion, lead with seven nominations each.

"Belfast," director Kenneth Branagh on November 8, 2021 in Los Angeles LISA O'CONNOR AFP / Archives

"The Power of the Dog", which questions male stereotypes in 1920s Montana with Benedict Cumberbatch as a toxic cowboy, could become the second feature film directed by a woman to win the flagship category of "best dramatic film. ".

Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story" remake, which flopped at the box office but was critically acclaimed, is up for grabs in the comedy, musical and non-musical category.

It is in competition with "Don't look up: cosmic denial", comic satire with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence as obscure astronomers trying in vain to alert a divided American public opinion on the arrival of a comet which threatens to destroy all form of life on Earth.

On the television side, the series "Succession", a black and creaking work that features a powerful New York family tearing itself apart to take control of a media empire, the favorite share with five nominations.

Silence

But the race for the Golden Globes, considered almost as prestigious as the Oscars, is clouded by the many accusations against the HFPA.

The group, made up of around 100 people with links to foreign publications, has long been privately accused in Hollywood circles of a series of failings, ranging from corruption to racism.

The Los Angeles Times newspaper thus showed that the association did not count any black person among its members, opening the valve of criticism last year.

Tom Cruise returned his awards in a gesture of protest.

Since the outbreak of the scandal, the association has hastened to launch reforms, in particular to diversify its members.

The director of "West Side Story" Steven Spielberg, December 7, 2021 in Los Angeles VALERIE MACON AFP / Archives

It also prohibited them from accepting luxury gifts or stays in hotels from studios wooing them for their votes.

It remains to be seen whether these changes will be enough to convince Hollywood stars and broadcasters to give the Golden Globes a comeback.

This year one thing is certain, hardly any actor or studios made public mention of his nomination, and many laureates are also expected to remain silent when their victory is announced on Sunday.

"Even if some are declared the winners, no one is going to issue a press release to say how happy he is to have been honored by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association," said Marc Malkin.

“If you're a studio hoping to get a Golden Globe win, and you get your Golden Globes and don't celebrate, does that really matter?” He points out.

© 2022 AFP