Shortly after the PGA Award nominations were announced, the 72nd Annual DGA Award nominations were unveiled and the question is: Could this be our directors that will be vying for Oscar gold?
Competing for the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film prize are Bong Joon Ho (Parasite), Sam Mendes (1917), Quentin Tarantino (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), Martin Scorsese (The Irishman) and Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit). Directors Guild President Thomas Schlamme had this to say about the nominees:
“In a year full of excellent films, DGA members have chosen an extraordinary group of filmmakers to nominate for this year’s Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film Award. These directors represent the highest standard of filmmaking, and their films are a testament to innovative storytelling, artistic achievement and the passion that filmmakers share with their audiences. Being nominated by their peers is what makes this award particularly meaningful for directors, and I congratulate all of the nominees for their outstanding work.”
Let’s get the snubs out of the way. Once again, no female representation among the five main nominees but they were well represented in the First-Time Feature category. Mati Diop (Atlantics), Alma Ha’rel (Honey Boy), Melina Matsoukas (Queen & Slim), Tyler Nilson & Mike Schwartz (The Peanut Butter Falcon) and Joe Talbot (The Last Black Man in San Francisco) are up for that prize and three of the nominees happen to be female so let’s not let that achievement go unnoticed. Although, it’s a shame Olivia Wilde didn’t get notice here for Booksmart.
Other perceived snubs include Todd Phillips (Joker), Greta Gerwig (Little Women), Clint Eastwood (Richard Jewell), James Mangold (Ford v Ferrari), Rian Johnson (Knives Out) & Pedro Almodóvar (Pain and Glory) I think the only one who a real shot for one of those spots would’ve been Todd Phillips (and perhaps Greta Gerwig), who earned a BAFTA nomination today for Best Director so it will be interesting to see where Oscar voters lands on this one.
Time for the DGA to Oscar’s comparison: The last six best director winners at the DGA’s also went home with an Academy Award. Last year, Alfonso Cuaron took home the DGA and Oscar prize for Roma.
The winners in all categories will be honored January 25 in a ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton in downtown Los Angeles.
