LONDON – It was a good night for women at the Critics’ Choice Awards, whichhonored women-centered stories like Big Little Lies, The Handmaid’s Taleand The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Wonder Woman was named best action movie andstar Gal Gadot accepted a special award for challenging gender stereotypes.
Yet the industry’s ongoing sexual misconduct crisis remained an element ofthe ceremony as James Franco won an acting award early in the evening,hours after a report detailed new misconduct allegations against TheDisaster Artist star and director. Franco did not attend Thursday’spresentation at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, and hisaward was presented during a pre-telecast section broadcast only online.
Franco won a similar award at the Golden Globes earlier in the week, wheremost women dressed in black to protest sexual harassment. More womendressed in colour on Thursday, but their determination to end genderdiscrimination remained just as fierce.
“I want to share this award with all the women and men who stand for what’sright, standing for those who can’t stand or speak for themselves,” Gadotsaid as she accepted the second annual #SeeHer award. “My promise to youis: I will never be silenced. We will continue to band together to makestrides, uniting for equality.”
Guillermo del Toro’s fantasy romance, The Shape of Water, was the top filmwinner with four awards. Del Toro, who was also named best director, closedthe show Thursday night by shouting that he’s always believed in theequality of women.
“Let me tell you one thing, if you don’t do that, you don’t know whatyou’re missing,” he said.
The Shape of Water, which led all nominees with 14 bids, also claimed thebest picture prize, along with score and production design honours.
Olivia Munn hosted the dinner ceremony, which was broadcast live on the CWnetwork. The actress, who has spoken publicly about her own experienceswith sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry, led the audience in atoast. Joined by actress Niecey Nash, they raised a glass “to all the goodguys in Hollywood,” who held meetings in conference rooms rather than hotelrooms.
“Congratulations for doing what you’re supposed to do!” Nash said.
Big Little Lies received four awards: best limited series, as well asacting honours for Nicole Kidman, Alexander Skarsgard and Laura Dern.
Kidman thanked the entertainment community “who show up to make reallyfantastic films and TV and let us do what we love.” -Agencies