Last January, three short months after the publication of Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey’s Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation into allegations of rape and sexual assault against Harvey Weinstein, women in Hollywood descended, like a murder of crows, on the Golden Globes red carpet, dressed entirely in black.

For as long as awards shows have existed, women have stepped, posed and repeated in front of walls of paparazzi wearing bespoke couture – their gowns embodying the American dream of the glitz and glamour of La La Land. All while an expanding audience of us laypeople watched in our civvies. It was a moment that will go down in Hollywood history. But did it make a blind bit of difference?

Sadly not. On Monday, as the nominations were announced for the 2020 Golden Globes, women collectively banged their heads against their desks as not a single one was nominated in two of the awards’ most significant categories: Best Director and Best Screenwriter, while male-helmed films took the majority of spaces across several other categories.

It’s nothing new. Since 2000, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) has only ever nominated four women for Best Director, among a sea of 100 male nominees. Meanwhile, just five have received Oscar nominations in the Academy’s 91-year history.

Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Show all 78 1 /78 Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Lupita Nyong'o opted for a purple Calvin Klein dress made from layers of intricate beading Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Emma Stone arrived at the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards wearing a peach dress by Louis Vuitton AFP/Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Amy Adams attended the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards wearing a minimalistic royal blue dress by Calvin Klein Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Amy Adams accessorised her Calvin Klein dress with a spiky bracelet and stacking rings Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Penelope Cruz wore a form-fitting Ralph & Russo dress Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Saoirse Ronan wore a sophisticated low-cut Gucci dress with metallic detailing Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests US actor Anne Hathaway wore a leopard print dress by Elie Saab with a contrasting red clutch bag AFP/Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests British actor Claire Foy sported a silky yellow Miu Miu gown Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Mary Poppins star Emily Blunt wore a grey lace dress by Alexander McQueen Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Bradley Cooper arrived on the red carpet with his partner, Irina Shayk, wearing a white tuxedo AFP/Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Lady Gaga paid tribute to Judy Garland from the 1954 version of A Star Is Born with a showstopping lilac gown Rex Features Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Timothee Chalamet opted for black tailored trousers with a matching collarless shirt and embellished harness by Louis Vuitton Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests 'Crazy Rich Asians' star Constance Wu wore a delicate peach-coloured Vera Wang gown with a burnt orange belt AFP/Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Killing Eve actor Jodie Comer opted for a floor-length ruffled Ralph & Russo gown for the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Black Panther actor Danai Gurira wore a one-shouldered Rodarte dress with bow detailing Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Best Supporting Actor winner, Mahershala Ali, wore a traditional suit with a navy brocade scarf Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Octavia Spencer wore an off-the-shoulder black A-line lace dress Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Roma star Yalitza Aparicio opted for a metallic silver gown with star-print embellishment Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Handmaid's Tale star Elisabeth Moss wore a black Dior mini dress with matching court heels Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Julianne Moore opted for a white halter neck dress by Givenchy Haute Couture Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Jameela Jamil wore Pantone's Colour of the Year to the 6th Annual Golden Globe Awards Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Julia Roberts wore tailored trousers with a one-shoulder dress designed by Stella McCartney Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Host Sandra Oh wore a floor-length Versace gown with statement shoulder detailing Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Sandra Oh accessorised her white gown with stacks of bejewelled bracelets Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Thandie Newton attended the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards in a silver cut-out dress by Michael Kors Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Homecoming star Stephan James wore a Ralph Lauren tuxedo with a Swarovski lapel pin and Louboutin loafers Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Actress Halle Berry wore a burgundy lace dress with a thigh-high split AFP/Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Jessica Chastain wore a silky dress with a mesh cape by Burberry AFP/Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Dakota Fanning wore a shimmering white gown from Armani Prive Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Comedian Amy Poehler opted for a mint green halter neck dress that featured a black choker and skirt Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Nicole Kidman wore a high-neck sequin dress in a deep red hue by Michael Kors Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests The Assassination of Gianni Versace actor Darren Criss wore a floral jacket and black trousers by Dior Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Charlize Theron wore a monochromatic Dior gown with a bow-detail top and white skirt Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Charlize Theron accessorised her outfit with sparkly bangles and a Time's Up bracelet Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Rami Malek wore a classic black tuxedo with a white shirt and bow tie Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Rachel Weisz wore a monochromatic dress by Celine by Hedi Slimane Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Janelle Monae wore a form-fitting Chanel dress with gold accessories Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Idris Elba, who wore a forest green three-piece Ozwald Boateng tuxedo, attended the ceremony with his fiancé Sabrina Dhowr and daughter, Isan Elba Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Actor Kiki Layne wore a delicate tulle gown with sheer bust detailing Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Jamie Lee Curtis opted for a bright white dress to match her icy locks Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Taraji P. Henson wore a low-cut green velvet green with a black waistband Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Judy Greer ditched tradition and opted for a tailored black suit with a shirt and bow tie Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Laura Dern chose a floor-length red number designed by Valentino Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Actor Melissa McCarthy hit the red carpet wearing a purple dress emblazoned with silver stars Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests American Horror Story star Evan Peters opted for a navy blue tuxedo Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Rachel Brosnahan bought a dash of colour to the red carpet with an elegant canary yellow dress by Prada Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Nicholas Hoult attended the event with Olivia Colman who opted for a black silk dress with a mesh neckline by Stella McCartney Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests The Good Place actor William Jackson Harper wore a traditional black tuxedo AFP/Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Supermodel Heidi Klum wore a strapless black gown that featured colourful 3D flowers on the skirt Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Alison Brie wore an elegant light blue tulle gown Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Lena Waithe wore an all-black Prada suit with a Jason of Beverly Hills chain Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Emmy Rossum opted for an ultra-feminine pink gown with off-the-shoulder detailing Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Actor Indya Moore opted for a structured silver mini dress with matching strappy heels Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Actor Lucy Liu opted for a colourful floor-length number with a sheer overlay Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Rosamund Pike wore a cut-out black gown with black choker detailing and a silver sequin jacket draped over her shoulders Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests English actor Gemma Chan arrived wearing a showstopping blue gown with a thigh-high split by Valentino AFP/Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests American Horror Story actor Cody Fern wore a semi-sheer shirt with tailored black trousers AFP/Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests This is Us star Chrissy Metz wore a red off-the-shoulder gown with embellished sleeves Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Scott Evans wore a mustard yellow tuxedo jacket with black tailored trousers Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Camilla Belle wore an elegant off-the-shoulder blue gown Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests US writer Janet Mock wore a white, high-neck dress with a thigh-high split AFP/Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests US actor Connie Britton wore a strappy embellished dress AFP/Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Catherine Zeta-Jones wore an emerald green dress with ruffled detailing Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests US singer Sofia Carson contrasted a monochromatic gown with a bright red lip AFP/Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests US actor Amber Heard arrived at the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards wearing a floor-length monochromatic gown by Monique Lhuillier AFP/Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Bridesmaids star Maya Rudolph wore a floor-length tiered gown AFP/Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests TV host Tanika Ray opted for a shimmering green fishtail gown AFP/Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Luke Evans wore a white tuxedo with contrasting black collar and bow tie Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Sibley Scoles wore a black floor-length gown with a train and lace detailing Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Phoebe Waller-Bridge wore a red sequin gown by Galvan Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests English-US actor Lucy Boynton arrived wearing a metallic gold dress with a plunging neckline and thigh-high split AFP/Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Kaley Cuoco opted for a voluminous dress that features a blue velvet bustier top Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Kate Mara chose an embellished peach-coloured gown designed by Miu Miu Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Kristen Bell wore a plunging pink gown on the red carpet AFP/Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Jeannie Mai wore an emerals green strapless gown Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests US actor Gina Rodriguez wore a light blue dress with a plunging neckline AFP/Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Camilla Belle complimented her dress with a green velvet clutch and sparkly jewellery Getty Images Golden Globes 2019: The best-dressed guests Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher both wore black to the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards Getty Images

Instead, the HFPA, in their undeniable misogyny, presented a list occupied by the widely divisive and problematic Joker: a mediocre popcorn movie that adopted lazy tropes about mental health as an excuse for male violence.

Martin Scorsese’s three-hour 40-minute The Irishman really takes the biscuit here – it’s been a long time since I saw a film quite so self-congratulatory, while being so tirelessly dull. A load of old Hollywood men reviving their time as the bad boys of the cinematic mob world? Move on, lads. I’m not alone: just 18 per cent of viewers could make it through this film, switching off Netflix before it had even finished.

Hustlers, starring Jennifer Lopez, on the other hand, was a box-office smash – and cost far less to make. But wait, isn’t the lack of female-led films due to women simply not selling as many cinema tickets? Hmm.

Are you bored of hearing these frustrations, year after year? I certainly am. So, let me suggest something else: that women boycott the Golden Globes altogether.

Through years of calling it out (just last year, Natalie Portman announced the “all male nominees” when she stood up to present at the Golden Globes), black-dress protests and initiatives, groups, grants and campaigns, the systemic sexism of the film industry refuses to listen. Last year, men walked away with the Best Drama, Best Musical or Comedy, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Foreign Language Film awards.

Yet despite the outrage at the erasure of women, the Golden Globes has refused to budge, offering tokenistic nominations and outright ignoring worthy contenders.

Yes, women did receive nominations this year – I mean we do make up half of the population after all. It was a brilliant year for women on TV: the small screen, where women are able to take up less space, is happily embracing our contribution. Killing Eve, Fleabag, Big Little Lies, Unbelievable, The Crown and The Morning Show all received nominations. But it isn’t good enough.

This sentiment was perfectly summed up by Har’el, who tweeted: “I was on the inside for the first time this year. These are not our people and they do not represent us. Do not look for justice in the awards system. We are building a new world.”

And that’s exactly what women should do – and male allies alongside them. For what could make more noise and be more radical than actors turning their backs on this stale, male institution that refuses to acknowledge their talent? What paparazzo is interested in a red carpet filled only with men in identical black suits? How long, do you think, would the ceremony last without any female contributors? How many would watch it? We know already that viewing figures for the Globes are dwindling. If women refuse to even turn up, those figures – and advertising revenue – would plummet.

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Noah Baumbach’s exceptional Marriage Story has dominated the nomination list, but the HFPA seems to have missed the bitter irony of one of the most poignant parts of the script, when divorce lawyer Nora exposes the sexist double standard of perceptions of men and women as parents.

“We can accept an imperfect dad. We love them for their fallibilities, but people absolutely don’t accept those same failings in mothers,” she says. “You have to be perfect, and [he] can be a f**k-up and it doesn’t matter. You will always be held to a different, higher standard. And its f**ked-up, but that is the way it is.”