Chadwick Boseman backstage at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California on Nov. 24, 2019.DANNY MOLOSHOK/Reuters
Courtroom drama “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and jazz period film “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” were the big winners at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards, one of the last major ceremonies before the Oscars.
“The Trial of the Chicago 7,” set during a Vietnam War protest in 1968, took the prize for best ensemble with a cast that includes Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Frank Langella and Mark Rylance.
Langella credited writer and director Aaron Sorkin for the win, saying his “voice is the soul of this movie.”
All four of the winning film actors were people of color, the first time this has happened in the SAG awards’ 27-history.
Chadwick Boseman, who died of cancer last year at age 43, picked up another award for his final role as an ambitious 1930s trumpet player in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Sunday’s SAG win positioned him as front-runner for his first Oscar at the Academy Awards on April 25.
In this video grab provided by the SAG Awards, Simone Ledward Boseman, wife of the late Chadwick Boseman, accepts the award for outstanding performance by a male actor in a leading role for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" on his behalf during the 27th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on April 4, 2021.The Associated Press
Accepting on Boseman’s behalf, his widow Simone Ledward Boseman cited a saying from the late actor himself. “If you see the world unbalanced, be a crusader that pushes heavily on the see-saw of the mind.”
Viola Davis won best actress for playing a jazz diva in “Ma Rainey,” besting presumed favorites Frances McDormand for “Nomadland” and Carey Mulligan in revenge drama “Promising Young Woman.”
The SAG awards, chosen by members of the acting union, are closely watched because actors form the largest voting group in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organizes the Oscars.
The win for “The Trial of the Chicago 7” boosted the film’s chances of winning the best picture Academy Award in a year that has seen modern recession-era movie “Nomadland” grab many of the pre-Oscar awards.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s SAG ceremony was scaled down from a gala dinner to a one-hour presentation, held remotely, and peppered with jokes about how actors filled their free time during lockdown or got a start in their careers.
Helen Mirren spoke of a close encounter with a bear during the pandemic, Sterling K. Brown demonstrated his juggling skills and Jimmy Fallon played the harmonica.
“Minari,” the Korean-language story of an immigrant family struggling to make it in 1980s Arkansas, brought a supporting actress award for South Korean veteran Youn Yuh-jung as a cantankerous grandmother.
“I am very pleased and happy,” said Youn, 73.
British actor Daniel Kaluuya won for his supporting role as the late Black Panther activist Fred Hampton in “Judas and the Black Messiah.”
Cast members react as they win the Actor for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for "Schitt's Creek" in this screen grab from the 27th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 4, 2021.SAG AWARDS HANDOUT/Reuters
The stars of “Schitt’s Creek” are also getting recognition from their peers, taking home two Screen Actor Guild Awards on Sunday night.
The cast of the Canadian sitcom won the award for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series.
Catherine O’Hara also nabbed the award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a comedy series for her portrayal of Moira Rose.
Father-son co-creators Eugene Levy and Dan Levy were both nominated for outstanding performance by a male actor in a comedy series, but were beat out by Jason Sudeikis for his role in “Ted Lasso.”
“Schitt’s Creek” wrapped up its six-season run last year, when it swept the Emmy’s, winning all seven major comedy awards.
The show also took home best comedy series at the Golden Globes earlier this year, where O’Hara also won best actress in a comedy series.
Many of the SAG winners and nominees are also up for honors at the British BAFTA awards next week, and the Independent Spirit awards on April 22.
With files from The Canadian Press
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