This past Saturday, the 71st annual Directors Guild of America awards were distributed amongst people like Alfonso Cuaron for Roma and Tim Wardle for Three Identical Strangers. Bradley Cooper was a key contender for the first-time feature award for A Star is Born, but was beaten to the punch by Bo Burnham for his debut film Eighth Grade.
Cuaron, whose film told the story of a Mexico City domestic worker from 1970–1971, said, “The language of cinema, like the universe, is constantly expanding. The true cinema ignores walls, both real and imagined.”
Burnham, who made a name for himself on YouTube as a comedian and before skyrocketing to the level of an industry professional, turned heads with the comedy-of-age comedy that earned him coveted recognition from prestigious groups like the Writers Guild, Independent Spirit Awards, and Gotham Awards.
Cooper was assumed to be a shoo-in for the DGA’s Best First-Time Director, but a handful of naysayers thought Burnham would take home the award. And, against the odds, they were right.