Anais Gutierrez
Jordan Peele’s film ‘Get Out’ was submitted for Golden Globes consideration as a comedy. The news sparked controversy. Specifically over the Twittersphere and opened a discussion over the film’s category.
Meanwhile, director Jordan Peele said the film is a documentary. Of course, that its core is no joke. Nominations for the 75th annual Golden Globes are set to be unveiled December 11. The event will take place on January 7.
‘Get Out’ running the Golden Globes race
Last year, ‘Get Out’ shocked, terrified, and entertained audiences across the nation. Late last week, the film was submitted for the Golden Globes’ race as a comedy.
The film’s distributor, Universal, submitted the movie under Best Comedy or Musical instead of Best Drama, at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and naturally, it caused some confusion.
‘Get Out’ marked Jordan Peele‘s directorial debut and tells the tale of a young black man named Chris who travels upstate to meet the family of his white girlfriend, only to discover the family’s sinister secret.
The film is an allegorical tale of racism in America. While it is laugh-out-loud funny, it is seriously scary as well.
The movie is neither a comedy nor a musical, it’s a racial thriller, that would fit under the drama category.
This isn’t the first time the Golden Globes provoked a fuzz over a film’s category submission. In 2013, ‘American Hustle’ was nominated in that category, and in 2015 ‘The Martian’ was also submitted under that category.
Also, in 2004 and 2005, biopics ‘Ray’ and ‘Walk the Line’ were submitted as musicals due to their music-heavy subject matter. Despite not being what anyone would describe as true musicals.
As a result, Jamie Foxx, Reese Witherspoon, and Joaquin Phoenix all won Golden Globes in their respective acting categories. And Foxx and Witherspoon even went on to win Oscars.
The Golden Globes are particularly important since is one of the ceremonies that take a more progressive stance towards its nominees and takes a chance on the otherwise unsung critical darlings of film.
Drama or comedy? And what it means.
Following the movie’s submission, a huge discussion of its genre sprung with prons and cons on each side of the argument.
On one hand, the categorization of the film as a comedy trivializes the subject matter by painting a complex movie that blends horror, drama, and, yes, comedic relief as purely comedic. According to this, branding it as a comedy means the film simply laughs at the serious message about racism and violence towards black people.
Also, some think its categorization as a comedy will hurt the film’s chances to win Best Picture at the Oscars. Meaning that the film would go from social critique in horror to horror comedy, making it a less important film
On the other hand, some say its categorization is not such a bad thing since comedy should not be seen as an inherently frivolous medium, but rather as something carrying a message.
And, also comedy can win at the Oscars if it is packaged as smart social satire. Which Get Out almost certainly would be.
We’re all wrong, is a documentary
Following the fuzz over the film’s submission, director Jordan Peele express his thoughts on people’s response to it.
“The most rewarding part of making “Get Out” is the conversations the film has inspired,” he began.
“When I originally heard the idea of placing it in the comedy category it didn’t register to me as an issue. I missed it. There’s no category for a social thriller. So what? I moved on.”
“I made this movie for the loyal black horror fans who have been underrepresented for years. When people began standing up for my voice, it meant a lot. “Get Out” doesn’t just belong to me anymore, now it belongs to everyone,” he added.
He then went on to explain people’s huge response to the film’s category submission.
“The reason for the visceral response to this movie being called a comedy is that we are still living in a time in which African American cries for justice aren’t being taken seriously.”
“It’s important to acknowledge that though there are funny moments, the systemic racism that the movie is about is very real. More than anything, it shows me that film can be a force for change.”
“At the end of the day, call “Get Out” horror, comedy, drama, action or documentary, I don’t care. Whatever you call it, just know it’s our truth.”
During his appearance on ‘The Late Show’ on Wednesday night, Peele confirmed this position and said.
“I submitted it as a documentary”. Peele told Colbert, echoing a tweet he posted earlier on Wednesday, which read, ‘‘Get Out’ is a documentary.”
“Here’s the thing, the movie is the truth,” he continued.
“The thing that resonated with people was the truth, so for me, it’s more of a historical biopic.”
Source: Variety
