It only took 19 years for director/writer David O. Russell to return to the winners’ circle at the Film Independent Spirit Awards and he did so with an exclamation point today as his Silver Linings Playbook led the way with four statues–Best Picture, individual honors for Russell for Best Director and Best Screenplay, and Best Female Lead for Jennifer Lawrence.
Russell’s initial Spirit wins came for the 1994 release Spanking the Monkey which earned him Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay honors. Back then, Russell’s son Matthew–an inspiration for Silver Linings Playbook because of his battle with bipolar disorder–was just a year old. In accepting the Best Screenplay Spirit Award for Silver Linings Playbook, David O. Russell, said, “He gave me this movie, so I want to thank him, Matthew, for this movie.” Matthew, now a young man, was at the awards ceremony which is held in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica. (David O. Russell is repped by Wondros for commercials and branded content.)
Silver Linings Playbook fell short in only one category in which it was nominated, Best Male Lead, which went to John Hawkes in The Sessions. Hawkes topped a field that included Bradley Cooper for Silver Linings Playbook. Backstage, Hawkes said that among the homework he did for the part of a man in an iron lung hoping to lose his virginity was watching the Jessica Yu documentary Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O’Brien. A writer, O’Brien, was the man on whom The Sessions was based. Breathing Lessons won the Best Short Subject Documentary Oscar in 1997. (Yu directs commercials via Nonfiction Unlimited.)
The Sessions swept the two acting categories in which it was nominated with Helen Hunt winning the Spirit for Best Supporting Female.
Rounding out the acting honors was Matthew McConaughey who earned Best Supporting Male distinction for Magic Mike.
Best Int’l. Film, Documentary
Named Best International Film was Amour from Austria, directed by Michael Haneke.
Taking the Best Documentary Spirit Award was The Invisible War, a moving film on the epidemic of soldiers being raped in the U.S. military. In her acceptance remarks, producer Amy Ziering said that the Spirit recognition and the audience acceptance of the film tells our soldiers, “You are heard. You are not alone and you are no longer invisible.”
Cinematography; posthumous honor
Ben Richardson won for Best Cinematography on the strength of his work on Beasts of the Southern Wild. When asked backstage what inspired his lensing of that acclaimed film, Richardson cited his first meeting Quvenzhane Wallis, a non-actor who would up being a Spirit Award nominee for Best Female Lead. Richardson recalled shooting a short rehearsal video with Wallis and knowing instantly that his priority as a cinematographer was to make sure to capture her magical spirit.
Speaking of cinematography, Haris Savides, ASC, a legendary DP who passed away last year, was honored with a Special Distinction Award. Savides was nominated five times for a Best Cinematography Spirit Award. The nominations were for Greenberg, Milk, Elephant, Last Days and Gerry.
Best Firsts
The Spirit for Best First Feature went to writer/director Stephen Chbosky for The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
The Best First Screenplay honor was bestowed upon Derek Connolly for Safety Not Guaranteed.
Cassavetes, Altman recipients
The John Cassavetes Award recognizing the best feature made for less than $500,000 went to Middle of Nowhere from writer/director/producer Ava DuVernay.
And taking the Robert Altman Award–which is given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast–was Starlet directed by Sean Baker, with Julia Kim having served as casting director, and a cast comprised of Dree Hemingway, Besedka Johnson, Karren Karaguilian, Stella Maeve and James Ransone.
Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization, produces the Spirit Awards. Andy Samberg was emcee of the awards ceremony.
Producers Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher To Receive Harold Lloyd Award From The Advanced Imaging Society
Producers Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher will be presented with the 2025 Harold Lloyd Award in recognition of their producing achievement in creating Gladiator II at The Advanced Imaging Society’s (AIS) 15th annual Lumiere Awards luncheon, which takes place Friday, February 7, 2025, at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Empowering their storytelling with groundbreaking technology and skill, Wick and Fisher have thrilled audiences and driven the film industry forward for three decades. Their steadfast dedication to the highest standards of cinematic excellence have resulted in epic films, including Memoirs of a Geisha, The Great Gatsby, the Stuart Little franchise, the Divergent Series and both Gladiator films. The first Gladiator earned Wick an Academy Award® for Best Picture. In light of their consistent and distinguished contributions over the years, as exemplified by this year’s Gladiator II, the Advanced Imaging Society wished to recognize the team with this year’s esteemed Harold Lloyd Award.
“Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher of Red Wagon Entertainment have revolutionized modern filmmaking with their bold storytelling and ability to elevate large-scale productions to epic levels,” remarked Jim Chabin, AIS president. “Their work has not only captivated audiences but also redefined filmmaking standards, leaving an indelible mark on the art of cinema. At AIS. we deeply admire their visionary contributions and enduring influence on the film industry.”
Suzanne Lloyd, granddaughter of the late, great Harold Lloyd, remarked, “Doug’s artistic vision and Lucy’s dynamic leadership have brought authenticity, beauty and profound emotion to some of our favorite epic films. Together, they are a... Read More