USA: Nominees walk the red carpet at the annual Golden Globe awards

Beverly Hills was full of glamour on Monday (January 15) as nominees trod the red carpet in the first big awards outing of the year 2007. It was time for the annual Golden Globe awards, a light affair, started by the Hollywood Foreign Press and now seen as a leading indicator of the Oscars. Jeremy Irons and Helen Mirren were seen speaking to each other -- or were they reading lines from their much honoured television film, Elizabeth I? Martin Scorsese, the much nominated director, this time for "The Departed" talked to every and all as he raced from reporter to reporter. Dustin Hoffman was there, without a nod, but perhaps to support others who were. Adriana Barraza was one of many from the cast and crew of "Babel" who were out in force, like a battalion, to secure at least one win from their seven nominations. "This experience is truly wonderful and I thank God for giving me the chance to experience this," Barraza told Reuters. Mirren, demurred when asked if the Globes were just another awards show. "Good lord no, and especially not for this one because I actually have three nominations in this particular Golden Globes and I don't think that's ever happened before in the history of the Golden Globes so it's a very special night for me, this is. And no, actually what happens is that the more one's honoured to be here the more exciting it gets. Actually it gets better and better, it gets more. It's nice that a whole scene, because it's such an amazing scene and when you're not used to it it can be quite intimidating and once you're used to it then you can just enjoy it. You know it's fantastic," she said. Jennifer Lopez distinguished why the Globes are more fun than other, more staid, Hollywood affairs. "Because it is more of a party, you know, you sit down at a table . . . you can chat, you're having dinner, you know what I mean, it's different than the kind of formal awards ceremony," she said. Rinko Kikuchi, nominated for best supporting actress for Babel, twirled for the cameras. Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore did interviews in tandem. Cameron Diaz, alas, was solo, having broken up with long-time boyfriend, Justin Timberlake, who was in attendance, but far from Cameron. Penelope Cruz, Pedro Almodovar's muse, and star of his latest, Volver, was gracious, to the other actresses in her category. "I feel very, very excited, very honoured about this nomination. To be in the company of these amazing actresses is a huge thing for me," she said. Meryl Streep, so unlike her ruthless character in "The Devil Wears Prada," posed happily with her daughter. Babel's director, Alejandro Inarritu, spoke about the great reception with which his film was met. "Well seven nominations just means how much the Hollywood foreign press really liked the film. I think it touched their hearts. I'm very glad to share all these nominations with the people who make possible this film. That's fantastic." Beyonce walked the red carpet, one of the three divas from "Dreamgirls," waved to the crowd regally. The old guard was represented by Clint Eastwood, nominated twice. "I feel fine, I'm fine, I'm here, I'm here, I'm here and I'm ready for for our picture," said Eastwood. Reigning Hollywood royalty Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were met with the largest roar of the crowd. Brad, who was nominated for best supporting actor for his role in "Babel," was asked by one reporter if he spoke Spanish and had ever been to Argentina. "Not really, but I love the place and I love your directors. It's a pleasure to be here." "Bobby" director Emilio Estevez was blown away by the array of stars. "I don't think I've ever seen a red carpet like this before, have you? It's bananas."

ITN Source | January 17, 2007

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