'Green Book' opens big at Golden Globes 2019

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The annual Golden Globe Awards returned to its roots as "party of the year" with dazzling celebrities in attendance and awards unveiled in laughs and tears on Sunday night in Beverly Hills, California, kicking off Hollywood's awards season in 2019.

The annual awards show, in its 76th edition, saw director Peter Farrelly's road-trip drama "Green Book" emerge as the biggest winner, bagging three Golden Globes including best film comedy or musical, best screenplay, and best supporting actor for Mahershala Ali.

The cast of "Green Book" accept the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy award, January 06, 2019. / VCG Photo

The biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody, which depicted the rise of the legendary rock band Queen, also played loud Sunday night with two awards.

The star-studded ceremony ended on a perfect note with the film picking the best film drama award while its lead-artist Rami Malek pocketed the best actor in a drama for his excellent portrayal of the Queen's frontman Freddie Mercury.

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for "Bohemian Rhapsody" winner Rami Malek poses with "Queen" members Roger Taylor (R) and Brian May (L) during the 76th Golden Globe Awards, January 6, 2019. /VCG Photo

The ceremony, though cannot be fully regarded as an "Oscar predictor", indeed gives its winners a big boost at the following race, which will culminate at the end of the February in the Academy Awards.

Scroll down to see the complete list of winners.

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'Moment of change'

This year's hosts Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh started the awards show with light jokes and real emotions. Oh stressed the diversity of this year's nominees, especially with films including "Crazy Rich Asians" in her impressive opening monologue.

Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg arrive at the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards, Beverly Hilton Hotel, January 6, 2019. /VCG Photo

Referring to her decision to be the co-host despite her fear, Oh noted she would like to "be here to look out on this audience and witness this moment of change."

"The moment is real. Because I see you. And I see you. All these faces of change. And now so will everyone else," said the teary-eyed actress, looking at various faces in the audience.

Sandra Oh from "Killing Eve" accepts the Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama award during the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards, January 6, 2019. / VCG Photo

Oh was also named as the best TV drama actress for her role as a British operative who becomes obsessed with an international assassin in "Killing Eve."

The Korean-Canadian actress becomes the first Asian woman to win in the category, which also makes her the first Asian actor to win multiple Golden Globes. She thanked her parents in two languages in a touching tribute after receiving her second Globe after 13 years.

The interracial film "Green Book," following the road trip of the African-American pianist Don Shirley portrayed by Mahershala Ali, won big at the night, which, for its director Peter Farrelly, "is beyond anything we ever imagined when we started shooting this thing."

Mahershala Ali after receiving the Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture award for "The Green Book," January 6, 2019. /VCG Photo

Paying tribute to Shirley, Farrelly said "This story, when I heard it, gave me hope, and I wanted to share that hope with you. We're still living in divided times, perhaps more than ever."

Surprising box office grabbers like "Crazy Rich Asians" and "Black Panther" failed to win any award at the ceremony despite multiple nominations, however, managed to send a positive message of Hollywood being inclusive and diverse.

Big names stand high

At this year's Golden Globe, many veteran directors and celebrated actors were honored for their outstanding work.

Lady Gaga (C) with Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt pose in the press room during the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards, January 6, 2019. /VCG Photo

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga presented the first trophy of the night to Michael Douglas, who won the best TV comedy actor for his role in "The Kominsky Method." It's the third Golden Globe Award in nine nominations for the 74-year-old Douglas.

Cooper's directorial debut "A Star Is Born," led by himself and Gaga, earned five nominations, however, only its theme song "Shallow" managed to grab one award for the best original song.

With her role critically acclaimed, the increasingly mature actress was in tears when the result was announced. "As a woman in music it is really hard to be taken serious as musician and as a songwriter," said Gaga after accepting the Globe trophy from singer Taylor Swift.

Olivia Colman poses in the press room during the 76th Golden Globe Awards, January 6, 2019. / VCG Photo

Glenn Close pocketed the Golden Globe for best actress in a film drama for her role in "The Wife." She choked up while delivering the speech. She highlighted women's "personal fulfillment" and thanked her "category sisters" such as Lady Gaga and Nicole Kidman.

Celebrated actress Olivia Colman was named the best actress in a comedy film, taking home her personal second Golden Globe trophy for her acclaimed portrayal of the frail and volatile Queen Anne in the royal intrigue comedy "The Favourite."

Christian Bale, the Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, accepts his award, January 6, 2019. / VCG Photo

Christian Bale claimed the best comedy film actor award for his portrayal as former U.S. vice president Dick Cheney in the political comedy "Vice," which led the way with six nominees. It is also the second Golden Globe for the seasoned actor.

Renowned director Alfonso Cuaron returned to the centerstage with his latest Mexican masterpiece "Roma", winning two trophies including best foreign language film, after being the Golden Lion top prize winner at the Venice Film Festival in September.

Best Director – Motion Picture and Best Motion Picture - Foreign Language for "Roma" winner Alfonso Cuaron poses with his trophies during the 76th Golden Globe Awards, January 6, 2019. /VCG Photo

Once named as best director for his phenomenal piece "Gravity" at the 2014 Golden Globes, Cuaron again took home the same award and the second trophy of the evening for his "intensively personal" film, which is based on his childhood in Mexico and the woman who raised him.

The Golden Globes darling said he wanted to dedicate the award to his "firecracker" Filipina mother, also in Spanish thanked his family and his native Mexico, and ended his acceptance speech saying, "This is totally awesome!"

Complete list of winners at 76th Golden Globe Awards

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(Cover image and infographics designed by Yin Yating; Video contributed by May Lee.)