Awards season is here and the nominees for the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards have been announced. Among those honored are the Academy Award-nominated film Milk, the Logo reality series Shirts & Skins that featured a predominately black gay male cast, and, director Patik-Ian Polk and his hit independent film Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom.
The film adaption of Noah's Arc—the first television series to focus on black gay characters—was nominated for Outstanding Film-Limited Release. The nod by the GLAAD Awards caught director/executive producer Patrik-Ian Polk by surprise when he was contacted this morning by Rod 2.0. "I am completely shocked!" Polk tells Rod 2.0. "We've never been nominated for a GLAAD Award before, so it was a pleasant surprise."
The awards season has been especially kind to Polk. Two weeks ago the 40th NAACP Image Awards nominees were announced and Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom was one of several nominees that featured black gay characters or content, Jasmyne Cannick reported. This week Polk was given a third nod for Outstanding Direction. "The NAACP Image Awards are such a staple of mainstream Black America, that I never really fathomed a gay black wedding movie like Noah's Arc would be recognized by them," the director tells Rod 2.0. "So this is pretty cool to be included in their Independent Motion Picture category. And then to be nominated for Writing and Directing- I'm still pinching myself."
The recognition by the veteran black civil rights organization means greater visibility for black gay men and lesbians in the black community. Polk says, "I've been watching the Image Awards my entire life! My grandparents watched that show. Will [Smith], Denzel [Washington] and Halle Berry win these things. And now, there's just a fraction of a possibility that I, an openly gay black man, might have a chance to accept a major award like that in front of a live national TV audience. I don't usually put that much focus on awards ... but for us in our community, this would be big."
Vote online here for the NAACP Image Awards.
Did You Read ...
News: "Noah's Arc", Eric Holder, Braylon Edwards
WeHo Marriage Rally Attracts "Noah's Arc" Stars
"Noah's Arc" Cast Urges "No" on Proposition 8
Doug Spearman Urges "NO" on Prop 8
Darryl Stephens Talks Coming Out to "Instinct"
Rodney Chester of "Noah's Arc": I'm Still Not Gay!
Behind the Scenes Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom
Noah's Arc Has Sailed
Deal or No Deal?
Darryl Stephens on the "Out 100
Jensen Atwood: The CLIK Interview
A Very Beautiful Darryl Stephens
Darryl Stephens in "Boy Culture"
Darryl's "Boy Culture"
A Conversation with Darryl Stephens
Rodney Chester: I'm STILL NOT Gay!"
Beyond the Sassy Sidekicks? [After Elton]
What Does the Future Hold for Noah's Arc? [After Elton]
TV's Most Influential Gay Sex Scenes [After Elton]
The Many Faces of Rodney Chester [Keith Boykin]
A Conversation with Keith Boykin
Patrik-Ian Polk in "Genre"
Hamilton Cobb: Big Deal Playing Gay
Uno Dos TREY
"Honey, I'm Home!"
DVD Review: "Noah's Arc"
Patrik-Ian Polk in "Genre"
I am such a *huge* Noah's Arc fan and am glad to hear the movie is getting its daps. I loved the film and found it very empowering. Hopefully it will be the just the first of man black gay movies to make it to the big screen, nahmean.
Posted by: I Aim to Please | 27 January 2009 at 15:37
First the pictures of Larry Fitzgerald, then the news about Susan Rice and now this! Okay maybe the NAACP is 'too old skool' for some of y'all youngns but this is a big deal. Black Hollywood watches that show , and all the black middle class and many of our uncles, aunts and grandmothers! Mr. Polk and the cast of his fine film will be shown and if Mr. Polk will be lucky enough to win ... I am sure he will say "I'm black gay and proud" before millions! Muah! You go boy!
Posted by: Victor C | 27 January 2009 at 15:43
thanks for keeping up with Noah Arc movie and thanks for keeping up with darryl jensen and prop 8. this was my favotite tv show i am so sick they cancelled thats how i discovered this blogs rod 2.0.
i admire patrik ian polk and wish him the best.
Posted by: Robbie | 27 January 2009 at 15:47
I wasn't a terrific fan of the tv show but the movie was a gem.
Posted by: Quniton M | 27 January 2009 at 15:57
I wasn't a terrific fan of the tv show but the movie was a gem.
Posted by: Quniton M | 27 January 2009 at 15:59
meh
Posted by: D. Askew | 27 January 2009 at 16:14
Not really7 interested in the "breakthrough" series or the "film"
I will watch on DVD.
Maybe.
Posted by: Will | 27 January 2009 at 16:33
I find the NAACP Awards problematic, but am glad to see these nominations. Whatever issues I have with the Awards, I wish 'the boys' well
Posted by: ReggieH | 27 January 2009 at 16:42
That's fine Will. There are many of us "Noah" fans who packed the theaters to make the movie a HIT!
And I guarantee the dvds will be in heavy demand by the children.
**SMH**
Posted by: Timothy B | 27 January 2009 at 16:48
And thank you reggie!
Posted by: Timothy B | 27 January 2009 at 16:49
Never knew who voted on the NAACP Image Awards ... I always thought it was just the paying member ... but as Reggie says best of luck to "the boys" I wish them all the best especially fine azz Jensen Atwood!
Posted by: Raymond | 27 January 2009 at 16:52
This was my show! You go boys! You'd better work ... work ... work ... Win those awards, Patrick! Strut across that stage at GLAAD and NAACP and represent!
Posted by: Esq | 27 January 2009 at 17:34
"The nod by the GLAAD Awards caught director/executive producer Patrik-Ian Polk by surprise when he was contacted this morning by Rod 2.0."
This might be off topic. So Rod you actually make a lot of calls and find a lot of these stories? I'm always impressed by this.
Posted by: Craig T | 27 January 2009 at 17:55
Not. A. Fan.
Posted by: Donn S | 27 January 2009 at 18:05
Okay Donn is there any reason you can't wish them success?
Posted by: Timothy B | 27 January 2009 at 18:13
The movie was such a pleasant surprise. It made me feel good aned tear up. I hope one day I fall in love with a great, sexy man who loves me and we can get married.
Thank you Patrik Ian, Darryl, Jensen, Rodney and Doug!
Posted by: Young | 27 January 2009 at 18:33
Congratulations to the cast and production staff.
While some of you didn't enjoy the film, it's important to remember it's historical significance. This is a film portraying African American sgl men getting married. GETTING MARRIED! Ten years ago this film would not have been possible. Twenty years from now the film will be a sweet reminder of a time when sgl people couldn't get married or have equal rights in this country.
Just as shows like 24 made it plausible that there could be a black U.S. President, films like Noah's Arc and the miniseries, DL Chronicles allow the larger society to see sgl people in a broader context.
Finally, I saw the movie twice; both times in a packed theaters. The crowds loved the film. Everyone that I spoke with after really enjoyed themselves. I'm not sure by what standard this film is being judged but I had a good time and so did my friends. For my dollars that's all that matters.
I just got notice that my dvd is on the way from Logo. This has been a good day.
Posted by: FREELEO | 27 January 2009 at 18:38
Freeleo, that is a powerful testimony. There is no reason any black gay men especially one reading this page should not want to support the movie. Okay, the writing and acting in the series was not the best. It was a new show on a budget, get over it. But the historical significance of those two seasons will be discussed for years. Please tell me you don't wish there were black gay characters on television now!
And the movie! It was wonderful, funny and emotional. Powerfully political. In the same year we elect a black man to the White House and award then strip away the right of gays in California to marry. This was our story this was our moment!
Posted by: Colin | 27 January 2009 at 18:55
Love it! And I'm so GLAAD about it!
Posted by: D.bARR | 27 January 2009 at 18:59
Timothy B and Freeleo, as always you bring some good perspective. I wasn't really a fan of the show for all the obvious reasons. The movie was more enjoyable and I am glad they are getting some props. Some. The historical signficance cannot be lost. But to be honest with you (and I said this in a previous thread) Polk's attitude rubs me the wrong way.
Polk has been disrespectful of the audience and black gay men and for the longest time said he didn't care about critics or reviews. Now he cares about reviews and critics. And the first time his movie was mentioned in the Advocate (where Rod writes?!) tthat was a few months ago...he was very sarcastic about this blog and Rod. I'm sorry but if it weren't for Rod or this blog, many people would not have heard of the show. They sure aren't talking about it at Towleroad or Perez Hilton.
So congratulations on the nominations but I know shade when I see it.
Posted by: Donn S | 27 January 2009 at 22:11
Donn S: When did Polk say he cared about reviews and critics? Everyone knows the Image awards have nothing to do with reviews, critics or quality necessarily. They are a popularity contest voted on by the NAACP voting membership at large. The winners are not chosen by a blue ribbon panel of industry professionals and/or critics. That's how TV shows like The Parkers and House of Payne have continually won over what some might consider higher quality shows.
But Polk is right- gay black visibility and inclusion on a mainstream black show like the image awards is significant. So no matter your feelings about the Noah show itself, or what you perceive as Polk's attitude, you can't argue that the NAACP including a movie like Noah's Arc and openly gay actors like Wanda Sykes in their nominees is a step in the right direction.
Posted by: Rafael | 27 January 2009 at 22:27
@ Rafael:
Surely you jest about Polk's many responses to reviews and critics of the series? Or the comments in the Advocate about this blog and Rod?
As I said, that NAACP Image Award nomination is a step in the right direction. I'm also very glad the NAACP is diversifying and Polk and Noah's Arc are helping to increase visibility for black gay men. But a lot of people are helping build the community, not just that one show or movie. Respect is a two way street.
Posted by: Donn S | 27 January 2009 at 23:05
I'm looking at the movie in terms of what Patrik, Rod and Freeleo have said. The awards mean increased visibility in our community, especially at time when many conservative pastors have attacked gays and marriage. Especially in California where Prop 8 passed and black folk where blamed. We need this nomination.
Go to NAACP and vote for Noah's Arc!
Posted by: Shane Moseley | 27 January 2009 at 23:31
Let me be another to add I'm happy for Patrik Polk and the cast of 'Noah's Arc'. This movie was obviously a labor of love.
Posted by: Tandio | 27 January 2009 at 23:51
No Donn S- I don't jest at all. You implied that Polk has expressed disdain for critics in the past but now has changed his tune. I don't see embracing an Image award nomination as changing his tune about critics. That was my point. The image awards have nothing to do with the critics or reviews. Nothing at all. And no one's arguing that Noah's arc is the only thing out there, but in the context of THIS article, which is about Noah's image award nominations and glaad award nod, it is significant. Obviously you're "not a fan", as you so eloquently stated, so it comes as no surprise that you'd be negative about this post. You must really hate it, if you feel the need to keep commenting negatively.
Posted by: Rafael | 27 January 2009 at 23:56