Tomorrow is Oscar day and I cannot wait! But tonight, I will be watching the Independent Spirit Awards on the Independent Film Channel (IFC). The Independent Spirit Awards may include some of those honored with Academy Award nominations, but more often than not, those nominated are people from movies of which you may not have even heard.
Thus is the spirit of independent films. It seems only fitting that this award show occurs the day before the Oscars, which many in the industry see as a show that often ignores independent films because they often don’t make a lot of money or don’t have big name stars. However, since Tarantino wowed the Academy with Pulp Fiction in 1994, more and more actors have turned to independent films. Many realize that to make the big bucks, they need to star in mainstream films. However, for most, it is the acting and writing that continues to draw them to independent film.
Tonight’s show will be hosted by Rainn Wilson or as you probably know him better, Dwight Schrute from The Office. Because the Independent Spirit Awards are much more laid back and casual than the Oscars (don’t expect tuxs and flowing evening gowns), you can expect an unusual performance by Rainn. He had already said, “You see a lot of my unfortunate body” alluding to the fact that he plans to show off his “buttocks” for comic effect.
Who is nominated for this year’s Independent Spirit awards? Best Picture nominees are The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, I’m Not There, Juno (also nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture), A Mighty Heart, and Paranoid Park. Best Female Lead includes Angelina Jolie (for A Mighty Heart), Sienna Miller (for Interview), Ellen Page (for Juno), Parker Posey (for Broken English), and Tang Wei (for Lust, Caution). Best Male Lead includes Pedro Castaneda (for August Evening), Don Cheadle (for Talk to Me), Philip Seymour Hoffman (for The Savages), Tony Leung (for Lust, Caution), and Frank Langella (for Starting Out in the Evening).
If you are home tonight and get IFC, you might want to look at the Independent Spirit Awards. You can find some out about some great movies, which you might not have heard about otherwise.