Jane Fonda, who received the Cecil B. deMille Honorary Award today at the Golden Globes, vindicated the “essential” power of stories in the hardest moments and asked Hollywood to make an effort to increase the diversity of their voices.

”We are a community of storytellers. And in turbulent and crisis times like this, stories have always been essential ”, said the legendary actress and tireless activist.

”They can change our hearts and our minds. They can help us to see the other in a different way”, she added.

Fonda, who went to the stage of the Golden Globes in Los Angeles (there is another in New York), cited as recent examples that “Minari” helped her understand the perspective of immigrants and pointed out that with films like “Judas and the Black Messiah” increased her empathy for the racism suffered by the black population.

“Stories can really change people”, said Fonda, who also urged Hollywood to do “an effort” for diversity and inclusion so that all voices have the same options to be heard.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) awarded Fonda not only for her splendid career in film (she has two Oscars for “Klute,” 1971, and “Coming Home,” 1978) but also for her long career as an activist, which in recent years has focused on fighting the climate crisis.

The Cecil B. deMille Award, which distinguishes a great career on the big screen, has in the past recognized stars such as Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro, Audrey Hepburn, Harrison Ford, Jodie Foster, Sophia Loren, Sidney Poitier, Steven Spielberg, Denzel Washington and Robin Williams.

Fonda received the witness as a Cecil B. deMille award from Tom Hanks, who was honored with the same distinction at the 2020 gala.

The 78th edition of the Golden Globes, which was delayed two months due to the coronavirus crisis, was held this Sunday, February 28 with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey as masters of ceremonies of a largely virtual gala due to the pandemic.

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