The 45th International Emmys Award shows decorate each year with glamorous dresses, our favorite celebrities and a myriad of afterparties. They celebrate the latest breakout actors and work that pushes the envelope, however, more often than not, the spotlight seems fixated on a cookie-cutter image and films that claim to promote inclusivity because they dared to cast one black actress. Though the entertainment industry has gradually been shifting towards a more inclusive and equal atmosphere, should a film really be given any credit for casting people of different cultures, genders and sexual orientations? Doesn’t it say more about how much more work we still have left that this is not seen as a norm but taking a “risk”?
45TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL EMMY AWARDS LARRY KING ATTENDS THE 45TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL EMMY AWARDS GALA PRESENTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES IN NEW YORK ON MONDAY, NOV. 20, 2017. (PHOTO BY EDUARDO MUNOZ / PSG)
This must explain why year after year, the International Emmys is always a breath of fresh air. Just walking the red carpet one will hear names they can’t initially pronounce and languages they can’t understand. One will see actors and actresses nominated from different sides of the globe, individuals with completely different backgrounds and cultures under the same roof, at least for one night. The best part? It doesn’t matter. Ethnicity and gender and skin color are as mundane facts as the earrings or cufflinks someone is wearing. Okay, maybe a little more emphasis is placed on a fabulous pair of earrings.
45TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL EMMY AWARDS RENATO GÓES AND MARINA RUY BARBOSA PRESENT THE INTERNATIONAL EMMY AWARD FOR NON-ENGLISH U.S. PRIMETIME PROGRAM AT THE 45TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL EMMY AWARDS GALA PRESENTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES IN NEW YORK ON MONDAY, NOV. 20, 2017. (PHOTO BY DAVID BERGMAN / PSG)
The International Emmys is a hub for diversity and inclusion, focusing on embracing different ideas and talent, because facts stated on someone’s license should have nothing to do with their career. And it’s fitting that it should take place in one of the most diverse and welcoming places in the world, New York City. This year’s nominees represented 18 countries ranging from Australia to Turkey to the Philippines. Comedian Maz Jobrani hosted the ceremony and wasn’t scared to get political on stage. As every award show, the night ended with winners and losers, but no one seemed to mind. Because the real reason everyone is there isn’t for the shiny trophies, but to celebrate the realization of ideas and narratives and characters that are relatable and real. Scripts showcasing that, despite how big the world is, there’s plenty of room to fit everyone within the screen.
45TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL EMMY AWARDS LES TWINS, PERFORM AT THE 45TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL EMMY AWARDS GALA PRESENTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES IN NEW YORK ON MONDAY, NOV. 20, 2017. (PHOTO BY DAVID BERGMAN / PSG)
Here is a complete list of the winners:
BEST ARTS PROGRAMMING
Hip-Hop Evolution – The Foundation
Banger Films
Canada
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR
Kenneth Branagh, Wallander
Left Bank Pictures/Yellow Bird/BBC/TKBC
UK
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS
Anna Friel, Marcella
Buccaneer Media/Netflix
UK
BEST COMEDY
Alan Partridge’s Scissored Isle
Baby Cow Productions
UK
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Exodus: Our Journey to Europe
KEO Films/BBC 2
UK
BEST DRAMA SERIES
Mammon II
NRK Drama/SVT/DR/YLE FEM/Nordvision Fund
Norway
BEST NON-ENGLISH U.S. PRIMETIME PROGRAM
Sr. Ávila
HBO Latin America/Lemon Films
U.S.
BEST NON-SCRIPTED ENTERTAINMENT
Sorry Voor Alles
VRT/Warner Bros International Television Production België
Belgium
BEST SHORT-FORM SERIES
The Braun Beauty
Polyphon, Berlin
Germany
BEST TELENOVELA
Kara Sevda
Ay Yapım
Turkey
BEST TV MOVIE/MINISERIES
Ne M’Abandonne Pas
Scarlett Production/France Télévisions
France
