Oscar Sunday
It’s been threatening to rain for the past few days and then it did – downpours of the torrential kind. Hopefully Mother Nature has got it all out her system by now because no one likes a wet red carpet…
Yesterday in Santa Monica, the annual Independent Spirit Awards were handed out by Film Independent, the organization that aims to promote indie films and actors. In this ceremony, gems like Fruitvale Station and Short Term 12 had the chance to be included among the nods to great films of the past year. The ceremony (which also has a relaxed atmosphere, thanks to the midday drinking that’s encouraged) was hosted by comedian Patton Oswalt (who was fab as Charlize Theron’s Young Adult co-star). Brad and Angie were there, Lupita Nyong’o celebrated her 31st birthday and Jared Leto made sure he thanked almost everyone he could, including the inventor of the zipper and vegan butter.
As The Hollywood Reporter‘s Scott Feinberg notes, it’s looking like all four actors who won Indie Spirit Awards will go on to win at the Oscars, which would make it the first time in the awards’ history that they forecast the Oscars.
The winners then…
Feature – 12 Years A Slave
Male Lead – Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
Female Lead – Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Male Support – Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club
Female Support – Lupita N’yongo, 12 Years A Slave
Director – Steve McQueen, 12 Years A Slave
First Feature – Ryan Coogler, Fruitvale Station
Screenplay – John Ridley, 12 Years A Slave
First Screenplay – Bob Nelson, Nebraska
John Cassavetes Award (film under $50,000) – This is Martin Bonner
Cinematography – Sean Bobbitt, 12 Years a Slave
Editing – Nat Sanders, Short Term 12
Documentary – 20 Feet From Stardom
International Film – Blue Is the Warmest Color
Robert Altman Award – Mud
The night before the Oscars, as always, is filled with soirees and parties celebrating the success of nominees. I spotted 12 Years a Slave‘s Chiwetel Ejiofor and Michael Fassbender leaving the Grey Goose pre-Oscar dinner. Both were in great spirits as they got into their chauffeured cars, chatting to those around them. Apparently Angelina Jolie joined Brad Pitt, a producer on the film, at the dinner too. A friend at Grey Goose told me he found her to be really down to earth, asking about his mother and the rest of his French family. Gotta love Oscar time!
