In a remarkable year for films, it's a backdrop to an awards show with a storyline all of its own.
British actors and friends Chiwetel Ejiofor and Idris Elba are up against each other in two Golden Globe categories - and that includes the coveted Best Actor award.
"12 Years a Slave" lead Ejiofor has been widely acclaimed for his performance as Solomon Northrup - a free man from upstate New York who is abducted and sold to slavery.
The Londoner said he was delighted to be vying for a Globe with his fellow Londoner.
SOUNDBITE: Actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor, saying (English):
"You know I'm really happy for Idris. I think we're up against each other in both categories, so that's just amazing... I'm excited. Idris always likes to say that we started our careers on the same day, when we auditioned for "Amistad", the Spielberg movie, years ago, so it's great to see it come to this."
Elba is nominated for his role as the late Nelson Mandela in "Mandela: A Long Wal
