by Nathaniel R
And the winners are...
BEST FEATURE The Farewell
Though Lulu Wang's lovely family drama didn't receive any Oscar nominations, it proved the most beloved film at the Independent Spirits...
BEST DIRECTOR The Safdie Brothers for Uncut Gems
Lulu Wang wasn't up for this particular prize but its win here (and elsewhere suggests it was probably running second to The Farewell for the big prize.
BEST FIRST FEATURE Olivia Wilde for Booksmart
Really happy about this win since you know we love this picture. What a strange year Olivia Wilde had being lauded for this one and pilloried for Richard Jewell.
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD – Give Me Liberty
This prize goes to films made for under $500,000. The biggest hit among the nominees was Wild Nights with Emily starring Molly Shannon which grossed just over $500,000. But the prize went to the second most successful, a comedy about a driver with an eclectic group of passengers.
BEST SCREENPLAY Noah Baumbach for Marriage Story
Besting Uncut Gems here and we're so happy for Baumbach because that screenplay is a comic and a dramatic gem. It's two gems, not a single uncut one.
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY Fredrica Bailey & Stefon Bristol See You Yesterday
We appreciate that the Spirits have returned to their roots and aren't just about Oscar players anymore but actual indies.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Jarin Blaschke The Lighthouse
The only one of them with an Oscar nomination but there really wasn't any denying it -- what a great looking picture. We hope Pawel Pogorzelski (MidSommar) and Natasha Braier (Honey Boy) have other rich projects ahead of them.
BEST EDITING Ronald Bronstein & Benny Safdie Uncut Gems
What do people see in this movie? We remain mystified.
BEST FEMALE LEAD Renée Zellweger
Despite a very cool list of amazing underrewarded womn, Renée added yet another trophy to her mantle. It's a truth that the bulk of any large awards-giving population likes biopic performances best. We are very off-consensus this way but we recognize we're in the distinct minority. This was such a great opportunity to recognize underrewarded women which ALL of her competitors were.
BEST MALE LEAD Adam Sandler Uncut Gems
Again, what do people love about this performance? It was agonizingly repetitive and empty in the eyes.
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE Zhao Shuzhen The Farewell
NAI NAI! So pleased about this win. Lulu Wang accepted on her behalf.
BEST SUPPORTING MALE Willem Dafoe The Lighthouse
In a field of nearly all leading men in the "supporting" category (sigh), Dafoe triumphed. We preferred Pattinson from this duet film but understand why awards bodies loved Dafoe's bearded and farting scenery chewing.
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD – Marriage Story.
Well deserved. Still amazed that it wasn't nominated for cast at the SAG Awards.
BEST DOCUMENTARY American Factory
It's expected to also win the Oscar but we're rooting for a Honeyland upset.
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM Parasite South Korea
Parasite has had incredible competitors at every awards show but still deserves all the wins.
BONNIE AWARD – Kelly Reichardt wins a $50,000 grant
PRODUCERS AWARD – Mollye Asher wins a $25,000 grant
SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – Rashaad Ernesto Green, Premature, wins a $25,000 grant
TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD –Nadia Shihab, Jaddoland, wins a $25,000 grant