In a nod to the Oscar diversity controversy, Sunday’s Screen Actors Guild Awards included a highlight reel of films showcasing social, political and race issues.
When the Academy Award nominations counted a white person in each of the 20 acting categories, social media erupted with complaints over lack of variety, carrying the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite.
SAG president Ken Howard addressed the crowd at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium on Sunday, praising film and TV work that salutes the full scope of the human experience.
“Since the dawn of motion pictures, filmmakers have used this art form not only as entertainment but as a mirror to reflect vital issues facing society. In movies and on television groundbreaking performances of actors … have informed and inspired,” Howard said.
“They have awakened audiences to and spoken out about basic human concerns. Tonight, as we celebrate the outstanding acting from the past year, we also reflect on landmark portrayals which depict important subjects that affect us all.”
They weren’t kidding about being inclusive: the clip reel featured movies and shows grappling with race, sexual orientation, addiction, gender in the workplace, height and weight.
Titles included Frank Sinatra’s “The Man with the Golden Arm,” Denzel Washington‘s “Flight,” “Imitation of Life,” “9 to 5,” “All in the Family,” “Jane The Virgin,” “Losing Isaiah,” “Selma” and even “Star Trek.”