SAG Awards presented

Hollywood’s actors’ association, the “Screen Actors Guild” (SAG), awarded its trophies on Sunday evening in Santa Monica, California. During the celebrations, numerous stars expressed their solidarity with the people of Ukraine and condemned the Russian invasion, including Lady Gaga, Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Benedict Cumberbatch and Michael Keaton. Michael Douglas and Tyler Perry wore pins in Ukraine’s national colors of yellow and blue.

The evening’s host, Leslie Odom, best known for his role in the musical Hamilton, opened the annual awards ceremony by saying: “We have a place in our hearts for Ukraine and send our thoughts, prayers and hopes for the peace to come .”

The SAG Awards are Oscar harbingers

The SAG Awards are seen as a harbinger of the upcoming Oscars at the end of March. One of the big winners of the evening was the American actor Will Smith, who received the first SAG award of his career for his leading role in “King Richard”. In the sports drama he embodies the ambitious father of tennis icons Serena and Venus William.

Jessica Chastain prevailed with her role in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” as an eccentric TV evangelist against colleagues like Lady Gaga (“House of Gucci”) and Nicole Kidman (“Being the Ricardos”). In the top division around the ensemble -Prize beat the deaf drama “Coda” to competitors like “Belfast”, “House of Gucci” and “King Richard”.

“Coda” actor Troy Kotsur also picked up the trophy for best supporting actor. The 53-year-old is the first deaf actor to win a SAG award. The film by US director Sian Heder is about a daughter (Emilia Jones) of deaf parents who wants to be a singer. Deaf actress Marlee Matlin plays her mother. Best Supporting Actress went to Ariana DeBose for West Side Story.

Honorary Award for Helen Mirren

The British actress Helen Mirren (see article picture) was honored for her life’s work. “That sounds so great,” Mirren said in her speech after being presented with the trophy by British actress Kate Winslet. “I assume I’m still alive, so by that standard I’m probably eligible.” The Oscar winner also revealed her mantra behind her achievements: “Be on time and don’t be a jerk.”

In her speech, the 76-year-old also thanked the actors who had shaped her career: as role models and as colleagues. For Mirren it is the sixth SAG award of her career. The awards were presented for the 28th time this year. In the past, SAG winners have also received awards at the Oscars.

(tön, ash/ dpa, sagawards.org)