This laid-back, glitzy event, long considered Hollywood's favorite night out, has been a shadow of its former self for the past two years.

The fault first of the pandemic, then of accusations of racism, sexism and corruption aimed at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which forms the jury and which had no black members in 2021.

Shunned by the gratin and deprived of television last year, the Golden Globes are back on NBC.

The American channel agreed to broadcast the 80th edition, after a series of reforms of the HFPA to improve its diversity and prohibit its members from accepting gifts from the studios.

Many big names are invited, including director Steven Spielberg, whose semi-autobiographical "The Fabelmans" is favorite for the award for best dramatic film, and actor Eddie Murphy who must be honored for his entire career. .

But the crowd may still be limited this year on the red carpet.

Many nominees have not yet confirmed their presence, and most of the "after-parties" usually organized by the studios to drown their winners under champagne will not take place.

American director Steven Spielberg, during the international film festival in Palm Springs, California, on January 5, 2023, where he received an award with the team for his film "The Fabelmans" © Michael Tran / AFP

The celebrities who will show up in the Beverly Hills hotel where the ceremony is taking place will have to justify their presence to journalists asking for their opinion on the reforms of the HFPA, observes columnist Pete Hammond, of the specialized site Deadline.

"It will not be exclusively + What are you wearing? +", he remarks.

Spielberg, Cruise, Cameron

The ceremony must already deal with two absent marks.

American actor Tom Cruise arrives at the world premiere of "Top Gun: Maverick" aboard the American ship USS Midway, in San Diego, California, on May 4, 2022 © Robyn Beck / AFP/Archives

Brendan Fraser, nominated for his role as an overweight, reclusive teacher in 'The Whale', accuses a former HFPA president of sexually assaulting him and will boycott the event.

"Top Gun: Maverick" producer Tom Cruise is also expected to be absent, after returning his three Golden Globes to protest the scandals.

His feature film will try, along with the other huge 2022 box office success "Avatar: The Way of the Water", to prevent "The Fabelmans" from winning the award for best drama film.

"Tar", which takes place in the world of classical music, and the biopic "Elvis", about the king of rock'n'roll could also come as a surprise.

Their respective stars - Cate Blanchett as the ruthless conductor, and Austin Butler as the remarkable Elvis Presley - are among the favorites for the acting awards.

On the comedy side, the Irish tragicomedy "The Banshees of Inisherin", which depicts the abrupt end of a friendship on a small Irish island in the 1920s, will compete in eight categories, a first for twenty years.

Irish actors Colin Farrell (left) and Brendan Gleeson (right), November 19, 2022 in Los Angeles © Tommaso Boddi / AFP/Archives

The film faces in particular the surreal and breathtaking "Everything Everywhere All At Once", which could earn performance awards for Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Lee Curtis and Ke Huy Quan.

In-Game Prestige

Faced with controversy, the HFPA notably renewed the Golden Globes jury, including 103 new entrants – who are not full members of the association – including many women and people from ethnic minorities.

Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh on January 5, 2023 at the Plam Springs International Film Festival in California, where she received an award for her role in "Everything Everywhere All at Once" © Michael Tran / AFP / Archives

After recent controversies, the prestige of these awards is on the line at this ceremony.

In the past, a success at the Golden Globes was a valuable marketing tool, capable of launching a winning campaign towards the supreme reward of the Oscars.

In Hollywood, some members of the industry confide in private wishing a return to grace of these awards, which have been "an important cog in the awards season" for 80 years, points out Mr. Hammond.

Main nominations for the 80th Golden Globes ceremony, which will be held on January 10 in Beverly Hills © Paz PIZARRO, Gal ROMA / AFP

The movie posters also highlight the Golden Globe nominations again, unlike last year.

But for the columnist, their power to influence the Oscars seems to be permanently diminished.

"When every article about the Globes talks about scandal (...) it does not make them as credible, I think, for the voters of the Oscars", he concludes.

© 2023 AFP