It’s that time of year again when all anyone can talk about is the Golden Globes. Have no fear if you’re in the dark, because this article has you covered, as I will be discussing some of the most important moments of the 77th Golden Globe awards.

Now that we’re in 2020, it’s about time award shows became more diverse. Bong Joon-Ho, celebrated South Korean director of Parasite, fought for subtitled film’s rights to Hollywood attention. He stated that viewers should not be intimidated by foreign films just because the dialogue is not in English, it should inspire and entertain its audiences. Speaking in his national language of Korean, he said, ‘Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.’ He called out Hollywood for its aversion to foreign films, referring to the much-dated rule that requires movies to have a minimum of 50 percent of their dialogue in English to qualify for the larger awards.

It is no surprise that Ellen DeGeneres became the second person ever to be honoured with the HFPA’s Carol Burnett Award, after Carol Burnett herself, which recognises achievements in television. After joking about thanking her ‘husband Mark and kids’, DeGeneres soon got serious, offering sentimental reflections on her career and what a joy it is to ‘make people feel good and laugh’, whilst also acknowledging Burnett’s legendary comedy influence. She suggested that it took several years to establish herself in the entertainment industry, especially after making history by coming out as gay on national television. Kate McKinnon gave a heart-warming tribute to DeGeneres, praising the comedian for taking the brave choice in coming out despite this derailing her career for several years. DeGeneres made it possible for herself and other queer entertainers to thrive within Hollywood. Regardless of one’s sexuality, DeGeneres’ has proven that the ‘power of television’ brings audiences and entertainers together through a mutual love of laughter and entertainment.

Joaquin Phoenix made a plea for environmentalism when taking the stage for his win for Best Actor in film, taking the time to remind the stars present of the devastating wildfires in Australia. He stated that ‘we have to do more’, admitting that he has not always been the most virtuous man but is learning to ‘do better himself.’ Phoenix preached that people must take responsibility for themselves and make sacrifices in order to lessen the effect they have on the environment, such as cutting down on private modes of travel. His parting words were ‘we can do better’, which couldn’t express the situation any more accurately. Everyone must be held accountable for protecting our planet.

Best Actress award winner Michelle Williams gave an inspiring speech supporting a cause close to her heart, encouraging women to take to the polls this November to support and utilize women’s right to choose. For years women have stood back in a male-dominated society, however as Williams states ‘let’s make it look more like us’. As the largest voting body in the country, it is finally time for women to take a stand and fight for what they believe in. She admits that she could never have reached her level of career success without having access to a woman’s right to choose, such as when to have her children and with whom. Although her choices may be different from those in the crowd, nonetheless they were freely made by herself as such choices should rightly be.

On the whole, one may consider it a night of deserved awards and successful speeches. It is refreshing that celebrities are finally using their statuses and influence to spread messages on worthwhile causes, giving us as an audience hope that change for the better truly is possible.