Political India: Engaging America

From The Hindu

“The Social Network”, a film about Harvard-graduate Mark Zuckerberg’s ultra-popular Facebook website, swept up four awards at the 2011 Golden Globe Awards, even denying Indian musical maestro A.R. Rahman a second win at the forum.

Mr. Rahman, who was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in the Original Score for “If I Rise,” from director Danny Boyle's “127 Hours,” lost the Award to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

Other notable winners included “The Social Network,” for Best Motion Picture, Colin Firth for best performance by an actor in “The King’s Speech,” Natalie Portman for best performance by an actress in “The Black Swan,” “The Kids are Alright,” for best comedy or musical and Christian Bale for best actor in a supporting role in “The Fighter.” Paul Giamatti scooped up the laurel for Best Actor in a comedy film for his role in “Barney's Version.”

The Golden Globe Awards are sponsored by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association to recognise excellence in film, television both domestic and foreign. However comedian and Awards Master of Ceremonies Ricky Gervais caused more than a chuckle when he lampooned the HFPA numerous times throughout the ceremony, ridiculing it in particular for its obscurity outside of the Awards.

Hollywood glitterati did not escape Mr. Gervais’ comedic wrath either, with cinematic luminaries Charlie Sheen, Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, and Bruce Willis falling victim to his relentlessly sarcastic comments.

The annual ceremony and dinner at which the Golden Globes are presented marks the start of the Hollywood film industry’s awards season, and it culminates in the annual Academy Awards otherwise known as the Oscars.

Labels: A.R. Rahman, Golden Globe awards, Oscar-winner