Jane Fonda at the Sag Awards: 'being Woke Just Means You Care About Others'

The 31st edition of the Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) Screen Actors Guild Awards  awarded "Shōgun," celebrated Kieran Culkin's talent in "A Real Pain" and delivered a powerful political message from Jane Fonda.

The gala, broadcast live by Netflix from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles was hosted by Kristen Bell, who described it as a tribute to actors who dream of succeeding in Hollywood and to the city itself.

Jane Fonda and her misguided speech

The most impactful moment of the night came with Jane Fonda's speech, who at 87 years old received  the Lifetime Achievement Award.  The actress and activist used the platform to deliver a political message, indirectly alluding to Donald Trump's administration:"We are in our documentary moment. This is the moment. And it's not a rehearsal."

Fonda tried to convince with a speech that American society doesn't want to hear:  "Being 'woke' just means you care about what happens to others."

As if that wasn't enough,  she urged her colleagues to broaden their understanding and solidarity, even toward those with different opinions. "Many people will be affected by what's happening and what's coming. Even if their political ideas are different, we must appeal to our empathy, listen from the heart, and welcome them into our tent. We're going to need it to be very big to withstand what's coming."

Awards and highlights of the night

The event took place amid the wildfires that affected California since January, which led the union to cancel the in-person nomination announcement and launch a relief fund for affected SAG-AFTRA members. In a gesture of recognition, Bell introduced the attending firefighters as "the most attractive tables" among the star-studded audience.

Jean Smart,  who had proposed suspending the ceremony due to the environmental crisis, won as best actress in a comedy series for "Hacks". Although she wasn't present, she sent a video in which she appeared as her character, Deborah Vance.

Neither Martin Short nor Jeremy Allen White attended, but  Short managed to win in the category of best actor in a comedy series for "Only Murders in the Building." Meanwhile,  Colin Farrell received his first SAG award for "The Penguin,"  being presented by Jamie Lee Curtis, who joked about having contracted COVID-19 because of him at the Golden Globes. Farrell replied with laughter: "Guilty as charged," before shifting the blame to Brendan Gleeson.

Kieran Culkin, favorite in his category, received another award for his role in "A Real Pain." While holding the trophy, he improvised an emotional speech: "Believe it or not, this really means a lot to me."

The Oscars preview

The SAG Awards often serve as a key indicator in the race toward the Oscars, which this year is particularly unpredictable. Other influential awards, such as the BAFTAs, the Producers Guild Awards (PGA), the Directors Guild Awards (DGA), and the Golden Globes, have already left their mark. 

"Anora", by Sean Baker, is emerging as the favorite to win the Best Picture award at the Oscars. However, "Conclave," by Edward Berger, surprised last weekend by winning the BAFTA, adding a new unexpected twist to an awards season full of surprises. Among them, the meteoric rise and abrupt fall of another strong contender, "Emilia Pérez."