While Nomadland a few weeks ago picked up the best film at the Critics Choice – a fairly reliable Oscar award indicator – during SAG on Sunday night, it was not even nominated in the category. Instead, the prize went to Aaron Sorkin The Chicago 7 trial, possibly to strengthen his chances at the Academy Show on 25 April.
The ‘Best Picture’ award at SAG is actually awarded to the Best Ensemble cast in a film, and in accepting the award on behalf of the star cast, Frank Llangella, played by Judge Julius Hoffman, Martin Luther King ‘s words recall:
“God gives us leaders,” said Reverend Martin Luther King, before he was shot down in cold blood on this date in 1968 – a deep injustice. The trial of the Chicago 7 began 18 months later, decided by a corrupt judge – me. Aaron Sorkin was determined to tell their story and his loving and respectful direction transformed a group of diverse actors into an ensemble. Reverend King was right. We need leaders to help us hate each other less. We are indebted to the voices of Chicago 7 and especially Aaron Sorkin, our leader, whose voice is the soul of this film. ”
Related story
SAG Awards: ‘The Trial Of The Chicago 7’ wins for film role; ‘The Crown’, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Lead TV – The Complete Winners List
The film follows the true story of a group of young political activists who are accused of inciting a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Sacha Baron Cohen as Abbie Hoffman, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Bobby Seale, Eddie Redmayne as Tom Hayden, Jeremy Strong as Jerry Rubin and Michael Keaton as U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark.
For Keaton it is Chicago 7 ensemble-win makes him the first person in SAG history to win three awards for outstanding performance through a cast in a film. In 2014 he was part of the winning ensemble for Birdman, and again in 2015 for Spotlight.
John Carrol Lynch, who played David Dellinger, told the SAG home crew that the most difficult scene for him was when Bobby Seale – who was not even involved in the riots at all – was tied up in the courtroom and tied up because he had his right to advice. “It was heartbreaking,” Lynch said. “And it’s hard to be in the neighborhood, let alone shoot, let alone be a representation of days when he was bound in the courtroom.”
Many years in the beginning, the project started in the hands of Steven Spielberg, who then accused Sorkin of carrying it out.