‘Moonlight’ director Barry Jenkins talks about his Golden Globes win and Janelle Monae stands up for love

Jan. 8, 2017, 10:57 p.m.

‘Moonlight’ director Barry Jenkins on ‘speaking truth to power’ in his Golden Globe-winning film

Tre’vell Anderson

Surprising everybody, “Moonlight” took home the night’s big award. But a Golden Globes win was never the goal of director Barry Jenkins.

“The whole point of this film for Tarrell [Alvin McCraney, the playwright of ‘In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue,’ which inspired the film] and I was to tell a very truthful story about how we grow up,” he said, noting the city of Miami itself being an integral character to the film. The film’s honor is “proof positive that we did the right thing,” he said, by telling the story in Miami.

And though Hollywood loves saying that the universal story is one that is truly specific, Jenkins didn’t focus on universality.

“It was about getting it right,.. and speaking truth to power,” he said.

When asked to address the anti-gay remarks made by singer Kim Burrell, who appears on the “Hidden Figures” soundtrack, “Moonlight” cast member Janelle Monáe didn’t shy away:

“I’m pro love. I’ve been very supportive of love, and at the end of the day I think that no matter where you come from and who you love, you deserve a chance at the American dream and to have your story told,” she said, noting that “Moonlight” is a demonstration of that.

“Anybody who is representing hate is part of the problem. I hope that we can all remember that at the end of the day, we all bleed the same color.”