For the first time in SAG Awards history, people of color took home the coveted prize in all four film acting categories.Viola DavisandChadwick Bosemanwon for their leading roles inMa Rainey’s Black Bottom, whileDaniel KaluuyaandYuh-Jung Younwon for their supporting performances inJudas and the Black MessiahandMinari, respectively.
Viola Davis beat out fierce competition, includingAmy Adams(Hillbilly Elegy),Vanessa Kirby(Pieces of a Woman),Frances McDormand(Nomadland), andCarey Mulligan(Promising Young Woman). Davis embodied Ma Rainey’s fearlessness and demanding presence. She mimicked Ma Rainey’s lips movement and steady articulation — lingering patiently over certain words — to capture the Mother of the Blues’ unfettered swagger.
Davis’ co-star Chadwick Boseman won the SAG award posthumously (as he did the Golden Globe), and his wife,Taylor Simone Ledward, accepted the award on his behalf. He earned the award for his portrayal of the determined yet stubborn and easily antagonized Levee Green. He was up againstRiz Ahmed(Sound of Metal),Steven Yeun(Minari),Anthony Hopkins(The Father), andGary Oldman(Mank).
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Daniel Kuluuya played the powerful Black Panther leaderFred Hamptonin Judas and the Black Messiah, beating outSacha Baron Cohen(Trial of the Chicago 7),Chadwick Boseman(Da 5 Bloods),Jared Leto(The Little Things), andLeslie Odom Jr.(One Night in Miami…). Kaluuya delivered Hampton’s speeches with power and conviction, capturing the leader’s messianic and inspiring presence.
InMinari, Yun-Jung Youn played Soonja — a mother who comes to live with her daughter to help care for her children, David and Anne. David initially wants nothing to do with his grandmother, as he feels they are from two different worlds. Yet, as the film progresses, the two form a close bond. Youn beatMaria Bakalova(Borat Subsequent Moviefilm),Glenn Close(Hillbilly Elegy),Olivia Colman(The Father), andHelena Zengel(News of the World).
It’s unclear if the Academy Awards will also follow suit in awarding people of color in their acting categories. However, last year, the SAG winners in these four acting categories were echoed by the Oscar winners. SAG and the Oscars also had identical winners in 2018, and 3 of the 4 winners were the same in both 2016 and 2017.
Only a few more weeks before we see if these four actors will also sweep the same four categories at the Academy Awards, which air on April 25.
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