2008 Spirit Awards
Film Independent Celebrates the Indies Minus the Glitz
If you're looking for an alternative to the Oscars, the Spirit Awards is your best ticket.
No Glitz or Glamour…
In an awards season where Hollywood glamour and glitz usually trumps substance, it’s nice to have an awards show that recognizes true independent voice. As a rebel cousin of the Oscars, the Independent Spirit Awards is a celebration of the years’ best in independent film, acting and screenwriting. The ceremony was originally called the Friend of Independent Awards in 1984 (FINDIE) and then later renamed the Spirit Awards in 1986 to reflect first-time member voting. Film independent is the non-profit organization that votes on the winners of the Spirit Awards each year, and any film enthusiast can join. The nominees this year include some favorites like Juno, I’m Not There and The Savages. The best thing about the Spirit Awards is that it highlights films that ordinarily would fly under the radar of most Americans (Ex: Paranoid Park, Talk To Me, Lust, Caution).
Talk To Me: Most Underrated film of 2007
Talk to Me, one of the most overlooked films of 2007 has two of it’s stars (Don Cheadle and Chiwetel Ejofor) nominated for two Spirit Awards, best male lead and best supporting male respectively. Talk to Me was directed by Kasi Lemmons and chronicles the true story of Petey Greene, a popular radio personality and activist of the late 1960’s in Washington, D.C. This is a great film with a soundtrack that will ultimately bring back memories of the 1960’s and 1970’s. Don’t rent it. Buy it!
No Country…Not Nominated
One big surprise of the Spirit Awards is the complete blackout of No Country for Old Men from the nominees. To date No Country has picked up seven awards so far and been nominated for eight Oscars. Well, maybe you can’t win them all.
Laid Back and Unassuming
Nevertheless, the Spirit Awards is one of the most laid-back awards show of the season and always promises the unexpected. This year’s host is Raim Wilson (The Office and Juno) and will air uncut February 23 on IFC. An edited version of the show will rebroadcast on AMC the same evening. Previous presenters include: Robert Downey Jr., Amy Adams and Aaron Eckhart. In 2007, Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps both took home Spirit awards for best male and female leads for the incredible Half Nelson. Little Miss Sunshine won the 2007 Spirit Award for best feature and best director.
Click here for a list of the 2008 Independent Spirit Nominees. If you miss the awards on IFC, catch it on AMC. Enjoy!
