Gay film Moonlight wins best drama at Golden Globes

Moonlight has become one of those rare gay themed films to break out into the mainstream after winning the Golden Globe for best drama in Beverly Hills on Sunday.

A coming of age tale about a gay African American man, the film has been racking up awards and critical acclaim since it was released in the US in October.

After winning the award, writer and director Barry Jenkins said that Moonlight had been embraced by people who wanted to see “something real reflected” and “stories that haven’t been told”.

He added that, “We have to give people things not to escape to — there’s room for escapism — but things that they can run to, that can reaffirm.”

One of the night’s major upsets was when the film’s Mahershala Ali failed to win the supporting actor in a drama award as widely anticipated. Instead, Aaron Taylor-Johnson took the prize for his role in Nocturnal Animals.

Moonlight, which received six nominations, chronicles the life of a young black man in Miami, from childhood to adulthood, as he comes to grips with his sexuality and his place in the world.

The film is divided into three chapters and the main character, Chiron, is played by three actors in different stages of his life. Its cast has been lauded for their powerful performances.

Moonlight is scheduled for release in South Africa on 10 February. (Watch the trailer below.)

The film La La Land, starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, was the night’s biggest winner, scoring a record-breaking seven awards, including best motion picture – musical or comedy. A musical, it tells the story of an aspiring actress and a jazz musician trying to make it in Los Angeles.

Below are all the winners of the 74th Golden Globe Awards.

FILM

Best motion picture, drama: Moonlight

Best motion picture, musical or comedy: La La Land

Actress, drama: Isabelle Huppert, Elle

Actor, drama: Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea

Actress, comedy or musical: Emma Stone, La La Land

Actor, comedy or musical: Ryan Gosling, La La Land

Supporting actress: Viola Davis, Fences

Supporting actor: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nocturnal Animals

Director: Damien Chazelle, La La Land

Screenplay: Damien Chazelle, La La Land

Animated film: Zootopia

Foreign language film: Elle (France)

Original score: Justin Hurwitz, La La Land

Original song: City of Stars, La La Land

TELEVISION

Best series, drama: The Crown

Best series, comedy or musical: Atlanta

Best television movie or mini-series: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Actress, mini-series or television movie: Sarah Paulson, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Actor, mini-series or television movie: Tom Hiddleston, The Night Manager

Actress, drama: Claire Foy, The Crown

Actor, drama: Billy Bob Thornton, Goliath

Actress, comedy or musical: Tracee Ellis Ross, black-ish

Actor, comedy or musical: Donald Glover, Atlanta

Supporting actress: Olivia Colman, The Night Manager

Supporting actor: Hugh Laurie, The Night Manager