'Anora' Continues Its Winning Streak by Sweeping Film Independent's Spirit Awards
At Film Independent's 40th annual Spirit Awards on Feb. 22, Anora continued its recent winning streak — taking home three of the big film awards, for Best Feature, Best Director for Sean Baker and Best Lead Performance for Mikey Madison.
"Indie film is struggling right now, more than ever," said Baker — who in his Best Director acceptance speech for his Brighton Beach, Brooklyn-set story about a sex worker who falls for a Russian oligarch, spoke about the state of the indie film industry. "I think for many of my peers, if we're lucky, the average number of years dedicated to making a film is around three. ... How do you support yourself with little or no income for three years?"
He continued: "I personally do not have children, but I know for a fact that if I did, I would not be able to make the movies that I make."
Baker declared himself an "indie film life." "And I know that there are other indie film lifers in this room," he said. "Those who don't see indie films as calling cards, those who don't make these films to land a series or a studio film. Some of us want to make personal films that are intended for theatrical release with subject matter that would never be greenlit by the big studios."
His plea: "The system has to change because this is simply unsustainable. We are creating product that creates jobs and revenue for the entire industry; we shouldn't be barely getting by. Creatives that are involved in projects that span years have to begin getting much higher upfront fees. ... So let's demand what we're worth."
Upon arrival at the beachside event in Santa Monica, guests mingled during a cocktail hour with stations offering Bulleit Frontier Whiskey drinks and Miraval rose. Then, they continued inside the tent for a healthy gourmet box lunch and a seated program hosted for the second year in a row by Aidy Bryant.
This year included a moving tribute and (double) standing ovation for Josh Welsh, the longtime president of Film Independent who recently passed away after a five-year battle with cancer, but whose spirit and legacy remain, per the team.
Among the other films honored, A Real Pain won Best Supporting Performance for Kieran Culkin and Best Screenplay for Jesse Eisenberg — who thanked producer Emma Stone. "I met Emma when we were in Zombieland together in 2009," he said, "and since then, I write little magazine articles and things on McSweeney's, and she's like the only person — I'm including my mom here — who would take little screenshots of it over the last 15 years, and send me things like, 'This is such a funny line.''
He went on, "And at the time, she was definitely — and still [is], the most famous person I know — and yet also the most dedicated to encouraging me as a writer. And I think about her not as my producer, but like a fairy godmother that I am like riding the coattails of her goodwill."
Also on the film front, Maisy Stella won Best Breakthrough Performance for My Old Ass; Dìdi won Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay for Sean Wang; Flow won Best International Film; No Other Land won Best Documentary; Best Cinematography went to Jomo Fray for Nickel Boys; and Hansjörg Weissbrich won Best Editing for September 5.
The 17th annual Robert Altman Award went to His Three Daughters director Azazel Jacobs, along with casting director Nicole Arbusto, and ensemble cast members Jovan Adepo, Jasmine Bracey, Carrie Coon, Jose Febus, Rudy Galvan, Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen, Randy Ramos Jr. and Jay O. Sanders.
Baby Reindeer swept the television category by winning three awards: Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series for Richard Gadd, Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series for Nava Mau and Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted Series for Jessica Gunning. Shōgun took home Best New Scripted Series; Hollywood Black won Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series; and How to Die Alone won Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series.
"The show was about finding humor, and heart, and humanity, and life's messiness; and having it celebrated in this way really truly means everything," said creator and star Natasha Rothwell — who got emotional. ("I took a beta blocker so this wasn't supposed to happen!" she quipped.)
"And for Black stories, this ability isn't a privilege, it is a necessity," continued Rothwell, who currently stars as spa manager Belinda Lindsey on The White Lotus. "We deserve to take up space, to be complex, to be hilarious and to be fully human. Although our time with this show was cut regrettably short, I know that I created something with you all that is so special ... beta blockers need more beta blocking!"
She finished, "And for those of you who connected with the show and felt alone and you long to be seen, don't worry — this is just one of many stories that I have to tell for us." Then she spoke about another marginalized group: "And lastly, to the trans community that is under attack right now, know that you are not alone. I see you, we see you, we all see you, we stand with you."
Read our story with Natasha Rothwell from the September 2024 issue of Los Angeles magazine here.
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