A Golden Globe nominee writer “Emily in Paris” wrote an article condemning the Globes for excluding “Destroy You”.
The decision by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association to exclude Michaela Coel’s acclaimed “I May Destroy You” from the 2021 Golden Globe nominations sparked outrage in Hollywood, more than any other scorned indication in recent memory. Deborah Copaken, a writer for the Golden Globe nominated comedy series “Emily in Paris”, published an op-ep on The Guardian criticizing HFPA for omitting “I May Destroy You” in the limited series categories. Copaken wrote that he was “surprised” that “Destroy You” was excluded when “Emily in Paris”, which was ridiculed and criticized by most television critics, was included.
“I tried to avoid reading your criticisms, but I don’t live under a rock. It never occurred to me that our program would be named, ”writes Copaken, recognizing that a program about“ a white American selling luxury in pre-pandemic Paris, free from its vibrant African and Muslim communities ”was bound to irritate.
Writing on “I May Destroy You”, Copaken added, “’I May Destroy You’ was not just my favorite program of 2020. It is my favorite program of all time. He takes the complicated issue of rape – I’m a sexual assault survivor myself – and infuses it with heart, humor, emotion and a story so well constructed that I had to watch it twice, just to understand how Coel did it. “
“Am I excited that Emily in Paris was nominated? Yes. Of course, ”Copaken continued. “I’ve never been even remotely close to seeing a Golden Globe statue up close, much less being nominated for one. But this excitement is now unfortunately tempered by my anger at Coel’s contempt. The fact that ‘I May Destroy You’ didn’t get a Golden Globe nod is not just wrong, it’s what’s wrong with everything. “
Copaken summed up his argument by writing: “We need art that reflects all of our colors, not just some. But we also need to reward programs (and songs, films, plays and musicals) that deserve them, no matter the skin color of their creators ”.
Other Hollywood voices were even more condemning to HPFA, with “Birds of Prey” director Cathy Yan writing that it is “bullshit” that “Destroy You” had zero nominations. “Honey Boy” filmmaker Alma Har’el added: “Sometimes racism is the only explanation.”
“Golden globes are laughable,” tweeted actor Dylan O’Brien. “Not only is’ I May Destroy You absolutely brilliant, but it should be seen as a whole. Apparently, you may be way ahead of humanity. Michaela Coel, we don’t deserve you. “
“Stories we Tell” director Sarah Polley said she was “telling” that HFPA embraced one type of sexual assault (“promising young woman”) while leaving another (“I May Destroy You”) excluded. Polley wrote, “It is a clear statement about which stories we are ready to hear and which we continue to ignore.”
Mark Duplass tried to see the glass half full by encouraging people to search for “I May Destroy You” on HBO Max, writing: “The good thing about the award season is that it can bring so much attention to the films and TV shows that are featured as those who are not criminally recognized. “
For more information on the closure of “I May Destroy You,” read IndieWire’s television critic Ben Travers on TV Globes’ most disturbing reviews. The Globes’ 2021 ceremony will air on Sunday, February 28 at 8 pm ET on NBC.
I May Destroy You don’t get GG love is bullshit
– Cathy Yan (@CathyYan) February 3, 2021
The good thing about the awards season is that it can bring as much attention to featured films and TV shows as it does to those who are not criminally recognized.
I CAN DESTROY YOU.
Now broadcasting on @hbo and @hbomax. pic.twitter.com/M4b7ED7h4X
– Mark Duplass (@MarkDuplass) February 3, 2021
On the positive side of the buzz about the Golden Globes punching I May Destroy You, more people will discover Michaela Coen’s masterpiece. Such a fascinating series. pic.twitter.com/X6DVcXyXzb
– Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) February 3, 2021
Sometimes, racism is the only explanation.
– Alma Har’el🌪 עלמה (@Almaharel) February 3, 2021
Golden globes are ridiculous. Not only is I May Destroy You absolutely brilliant, but it should also be seen. Apparently, you can be VERY ahead of humanity @MichaelaCoel we don’t deserve you.
– Dylan O’Brien (@dylanobrien) February 3, 2021
Anyone (white) who read this tweet as an attack on Emerald Fennell, (who is very talented and made an important film) should reread the tweet and think. Pointing out systemic racism is not the same as attacking someone personally or artistically.
– @realSarahPolley (@realsarahpolley) February 3, 2021
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