(Los Angeles) The barrier of subtitles in the United States is definitively lifted: despite its numerous dialogues in Japanese, the series Shogun triumphed at the Emmy Awards on Sunday, winning best drama series and a record number of awards at the ceremony.
This adaptation of James Clavell’s novel, which explores power struggles in 17th-century Japan,e century, collected 18 trophies at this equivalent of the Oscars for American television.
It became the first non-English language series to win the top award and also received the award for best direction.
Its screenwriter Justin Marks highlighted the creative gamble made by the FX channel and its owner Disney with this project.
“You have validated a very expensive, subtitled Japanese period series, the climax of which takes place around a poetry competition,” he praised.
PHOTO CHRIS PIZZELLO, INVISION, PROVIDED BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Justin Marks, center
The soap opera’s star, Hiroyuki Sanada, won the Emmy for best actor.
“It was a dream project where East meets West,” said the Japanese actor, who plays a lord and a fine strategist.
Her co-star Anna Sawai, who was remarkable as the daughter of a fallen samurai who converted to Catholicism, was voted best actress. It was “the role of a lifetime,” she thanked, very moved.
South Korean productions ParasiteOscar for best film in 2020, and Squid Game who won numerous Emmys in 2022, had paved the way. The coronation of Shogun confirms that the American public can now praise a series in a foreign language, with a different cultural prism.
About 70% of the dialogue is in Japanese and the hero of the novel, an English sailor stranded in the Japanese archipelago, quickly fades into the background in the series, to the benefit of court intrigues and the murderous rivalries of the shogunate.
Hacks create surprise
In other drama categories, Elizabeth Debicki was voted best supporting actress, thanks to her portrayal of Princess Diana in the final season of The Crownthe saga about the British royal family.
The HBO series Hacks did she create a surprise by winning the Emmy for best comedy, against the big favorite? The Bear.
The comic springs of Hacks are based on an unlikely duo between an aging American stand-up star, played by Jean Smart, and a young comedian tasked with renewing his jokes, played by Hannah Einbinder.
PHOTO VALERIE MACON, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
The writers of HacksJen Statsky, Paul W. Downs and Lucia Aniello.
“It’s a huge humbling experience, really. I appreciate it because I don’t get enough attention, seriously,” the 73-year-old actress thanked her.
Deprived of the major prize, The Bear nevertheless garnered a shower of trophies for its cast, thanks to its grueling dive into the back kitchen of a Chicago restaurant in search of a star.
Jeremy Allen White and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who play childhood friends turned chef and maître d’, won best actor and best supporting actor respectively for the second year in a row.
Liza Colon-Zayas, who plays a gruff cook, was voted best supporting actress.
Baby Reindeer crown
The evening also rewarded the Netflix phenomenon Baby Reindeer as best miniseries, a category reserved for single-season soap operas.
The story of a London bartender harassed by a woman suffering from mental illness, this series presented as a “true story” is based on the misadventures of its author, the Scottish comedian Richard Gadd.
PHOTO JAE C. HONG, INVISION, PROVIDED BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Scottish comedian Richard Gadd
He was voted best actor in the category and also received the award for best screenplay.
The series, which came out of nowhere, proved that “the one constant in all successful television is good storytelling. A good story that speaks to our times,” said Mr. Gadd, wearing a kilt onstage. “So take risks, push the boundaries, explore the uncomfortable.”
Jessica Gunn, who plays his on-screen stalker, received the award for best supporting actress.
In real life, the British woman who is said to have inspired the character was trolled on social media and filed a defamation suit against Netflix, seeking $170 million in damages.
Miniseries also include anthology serials that keep the same theme but change characters and setting each season.
In this respect, the fourth version of True Detective allowed Jodie Foster to win the award for best actress.
The actress plays a relentless investigator in the polar night of Alaska. At 61, she had two Oscars, but had never won an Emmy.