“Silver Linings Playbook” was the big winner at the 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards yesterday with trophies going to director David O. Russell for best movie, best director and adapted screenplay, and for Jennifer Lawrence for best actress.
Russell was with his son, Matthew, who he credited for his inspiration and desire to adapt the movie that is an unusual mix of romance and comedy that deals with the serious issues of mental illness and familial conflict.
Russell gave a shout out to Benh Zeitlin, fellow nominee for “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” noting, “Benh Zeitlin is a young man, so he will be back.”
The director went on to say, “I want to say on behalf of every family that ever faced mood disorder and the stigma of mood disorder or any mental illness, this film is for you, and I think when you make a film from the heart there is no such thing as genre. They’re just real people, and if it’s funny or it’s sad, it’s what happens. And that’s what my whole cast taught me.”
A visibly moved Lawrence, who won best actress, said, “I love independent film. I love being on that 20th free hour of overtime in the freezing cold, with the rest of the crew, and the only thing that’s keeping you there and motivating you is not money, it’s a belief and a story that you love enough to do almost anything for and passion,” she said. “That’s why I do what I do. I’d rather be warm, but you know what I mean.” She went on to thank Russell, co-star Bradley Cooper and executive producer Harvey Weinstein.
Bradley Cooper didn’t seem at all upset to lose to John Hawkes for best actor for “The Sessions,” an award presented by Salma Hayak.
“This is a great gig,” said sexy Hayek, who talked about the excitement of the winners. “Sometimes they get so excited when they hear their name that they come up to you and they hug you and they kiss you … however, today,” said the actress who sounded hoarse, ” I strongly recommend whoever wins not to do that. Not because my lovely gorgeous husband is here – he’s French, he doesn’t care – but because I am sick as a dog.”
Helen Hunt won for best supporting actress as a sex surrogate in “The Sessions.”
She mentioned her “nakedness” – literally – in the film and the miracle of the film even being made.
Matthew McConaughey, still looking gaunt, was chosen best supporting actor for “Magic Mike” and “Bernie.” Michael Haneke won for best foreign film for “Amour,” a win that will definitely be repeated tonight at the Oscars.
“The Invisible War” won for best documentary.
Andy Samberg, who was the very funny host, did a hilarious skit with Jack Black riffing on “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” with Black as Hushpuppy, complete with frizzy wig. The camera panned to Indie (and Oscar) nominated best actress Quvenzhane Wallis, who looked bemused and adorable in her lovely frock, with her white poodle dog handbag slung over her shoulder (she also has a black poodle bag she carried on the red carpet at the National Board of Review). The nine-year-old is now so grown up, cool and well coiffed, she is hardly recognizable as the wild child Hushpuppy she portrayed in the film when she was only six.
The Film Independent Spirit awards are held every year in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica the day before the Oscars. Typically a laid back boozy affair – Jameson Whiskey is a sponsor – everyone let’s their guard down and gets loose. The show is telecast on the IFC Channel – a channel not easy to find – hours after the event. Winners and presenters drop a lot of expletives and sometimes get a little crazy, but because it’s cable, nothing gets bleeped.
Most celebs dress fairly casual, but the 22-year-old Lawrence was an exception; the budding superstar looked fabulous in a black backless architecturally designed dress by Lanvin.
So what do the wins mean for the Oscars? Although there is some overlap, the answer is not much.
Film Independent Spirit Awards 2013: Complete List of Winners:
Best Feature
“Beasts of the Southern Wild”
“Bernie”
“Keep the Lights On”
“Moonrise Kingdom”
“Silver Linings Playbook” — WINNER
Best Director
Wes Anderson – “Moonrise Kingdom”
Julia Loktev – “The Loneliest Planet”
David O. Russell – “Silver Linings Playbook” — WINNER
Ira Sachs – “Keep the Lights On”
Benh Zeitlin – “Beasts of the Southern Wild”
Best Screenplay
Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola – “Moonrise Kingdom”
Zoe Kazan – “Ruby Sparks”
Martin McDonagh – “Seven Psychopaths”
David O. Russell – “Silver Linings Playbook” — WINNER
Ira Sachs – “Keep the Lights On”
Best First Feature (Award given to the director and producer)
“Fill the Void”
DIRECTOR: Rama Burshtein
PRODUCER: Assaf Amir
“Gimme the Loot”
DIRECTOR: Adam Leon
PRODUCERS: Dominic Buchanan, Natalie Difford, Jamund Washington
“Safety Not Guaranteed”
DIRECTOR: Colin Trevorrow
PRODUCERS: Derek Connolly, Stephanie Langhoff, Peter Saraf, Colin Trevorrow, Marc Turtletaub
“Sound of My Voice”
DIRECTOR: Zal Batmanglij
PRODUCERS: Brit Marling, Hans Ritter, Shelley Surpin
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” — WINNER
DIRECTOR: Stephen Chbosky
PRODUCERS: Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich, Russell Smith
Best First Screenplay
Rama Burshtein – “Fill the Void”
Derek Connolly – “Safety Not Guaranteed” –WINNER
Christopher Ford – “Robot & Frank”
Rashida Jones & Will McCormack – “Celeste and Jesse Forever”
Jonathan Lisecki – “Gayby”
John Cassavetes Award – Given to the best feature made for under $500,000.
“Breakfast with Curtis”
“Middle of Nowhere” — WINNER
“Mosquita y Mari”
“Starlet”
“The Color Wheel”
Best Female Lead
Linda Cardellini – “Return”
Emayatzy Corinealdi – “Middle of Nowhere”
Jennifer Lawrence – “Silver Linings Playbook” — WINNER
Quvenzhane Wallis – “Beasts of the Southern Wild”
Mary Elizabeth Winstead – “Smashed”
Best Male Lead
Jack Black – “Bernie”
Bradley Cooper – “Silver Linings Playbook”
John Hawkes – “The Sessions” — WINNER
Thure Lindhardt – “Keep the Lights On”
Matthew McConaughey – “Killer Joe”
Wendell Pierce – “Four”
Best Supporting Female
Rosemarie DeWitt – “Your Sister’s Sister”
Ann Dowd – “Compliance”
Helen Hunt – “The Sessions” — WINNER
Brit Marling – “Sound of My Voice”
Lorraine Toussaint – “Middle of Nowhere”
Best Supporting Male
Matthew McConaughey – “Magic Mike” — WINNER
David Oyelowo – “Middle of Nowhere”
Michael Pena – “End of Watch”
Sam Rockwell – “Seven Psychopaths”
Bruce Willis – “Moonrise Kingdom”
Best Cinematography
Yoni Brook – “Valley of Saints”
Lol Crawley – “Here”
Ben Richardson – “Beasts of the Southern Wild” — WINNER
Roman Vasyanov – “End of Watch”
Robert Yeoman – “Moonrise Kingdom”
Best Documentary
“How to Survive a Plague”
“Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present”
“The Central Park Five”
“The Invisible War” — WINNER
“The Waiting Room”
Best International Film
“Amour” (France) — WINNER
“Once Upon A Time in Anatolia” (Turkey)
“Rust And Bone” (France/Belgium)
“Sister” (Switzerland)
“War Witch” (Democratic Republic of Congo)
16th Annual Piaget Producers Award – The 16th annual Piaget Producers Award honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget.
“Nobody Walks” – Alicia Van Couvering
“Prince Avalanche” – Derrick Tseng
“Stones in the Sun” – Mynette Louie — WINNER
19th Annual Someone To Watch Award– The 19th annual Someone to Watch Award recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.
“Pincus” – David Fenster
“Gimme the Loot” – Adam Leon — WINNER
“Electrick Children” – Rebecca Thomas
Stella Artois Truer Than Fiction Award – The 18the annual Truer Than Fiction Award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.
“Leviathan” – Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Verena Paravel
“The Waiting Room” – Peter Nicks — WINNER
“Only the Young” – Jason Tippet & Elizabeth Mims
Robert Altman Award – (Given to one film’s director, casting director, and its ensemble cast)
“Starlet” — WINNER
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