“Hidden Figures” was the surprise best film ensemble winner at the Screen Actors Guild awards, a show overshadowed by politics as stars slammed U.S. President Donald Trump for restricting entry for travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries.
The true story of three black female mathematicians during the 1960s space race, “Hidden Figures,” ousted awards front-runners “Manchester By the Sea” and “Moonlight” to claim the night’s top prize.
“Fences,” a film based on August Wilson’s award-winning stage play about blue-collar African-Americans, claimed two major acting awards.
A surprised Denzel Washington won best actor, while co-star Viola Davis won best supporting actress.
Many stars delivered fiery speeches to directly or indirectly criticize Trump’s ban on Muslim travelers.
Mahershala Ali, who won best supporting actor for his role in independent drama “Moonlight,” noted that he is the Muslim son of a mother who is a Christian minister.
Emma Stone, winning best actress for musical romance “La La Land,” praised her fellow actors for “reflecting society.”
