Golden Globes 2020: Sam Mendes wins Best Director for '1917', praises fellow nominee Martin Scorsese in his speech
Sam Mendes walked away with a Golden Globe for "Best Director — Motion Picture" for '1917'. The award was announced by stars Helen Mirren and Antonio Banderas.
The nominees included a stellar director list in Bong Joon-ho ('Parasite'), Todd Phillips ('Joker'), Martin Scorsese ('The Irishman')and Quentin Tarantino ('Once Upon a Time in Hollywood'). Talking about the win, Mendes said: "That is a big surprise. not one director in the world who us in the shadow of Martin Scorsese, too many people to thank, three extraordinary producers, and extraordinary actors, an incredible cast and crew want to take a leaf out of Tom Hank's book and thank my wife for her support.
'1917' is based in part on an account told to Mendes by his paternal grandfather, Alfred Mendes. It follows the story of two young British soldiers during World War I in the spring of 1917 who was given a mission to deliver a message. It warns of an ambush during a skirmish soon after the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line during Operation Alberich.
Nominated for eight Critics’ Choice Awards, the film has also been met with nominations from the Art Directors Guild, the National Board of Review and numerous critics’ groups. Last winning a Golden Globe in 2000 for American Beauty, Mendes was also nominated in 2009 for Revolutionary Road.
The win was not without a shadow of criticism but it was not to take away anything from Mendes' win. Host Ricky Gervais commented on the lack of female nominees while he introduced this segment. “That’s bad. I’ve had a word with the HFPA and they’ve guaranteed that will never happen again because… the major studios have agreed to go back two years ago when they didn’t even hire female directors and that will solve the problem. You’re welcome," he quipped.