Whether boredom had the best of me, or I convinced myself to be interested, I somehow landed myself in front of my television yet again to watch another entire Hollywood award show. I hadn't planned on watching the 8oth Anniversary Academy Awards, but after my recent Grammy experience I suppose I thought "why not?" and tuned in all the way from the Gary Busey/Jennifer Garner surprise attack hug to the final credits. Expecting to be left with the generic guilty satisfaction of having viewed such a program, I was surprised to find that what I ended up with was a different product all together. I'm hopeful.
Being an actress, an artist and a prospective filmmaker myself, I have alot of respect for the film industry. Whether it be feature dramas, comedies, documentaries, whatever, i indulge in watching. Unfortunately (maybe) for me however, I guess I missed most of the front runners this year. "No Country for Old Men" - missed it. "There Will Be Blood" - missed it. "Michael Clayton" - missed it. "Atonement" - it's on my list. "La Vie en Rose" - can't wait.Although they were the big winners of the evening, I think this year's Oscar celebration was the year of the lesser known. That part kind of excited me. Indie films are on the rise. "Juno" was nominated for best picture, had star Ellen Page up for best actress, and even won best original screenplay! Months ago, it wasn't even intended for viewings beyond a few stops at theaters who specialize in indpendant film.
Marion Cotillard in “La Vie en Rose” won best actress. The surprise and excitement on her face was thrilling. She's young, French, and you never see her or hear about her in people magazine. To win such a prestigious award for her first big role in an American acclaimed film you could tell was truely an honor.
On front closer to home, best documentary or short subject film was taken by a little movie called "Freeheld" which is about an infamous court case that took place involving a homosexual couple of female police officers from Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Cynthia Wade and Vanessa Roth took home the prize.
My favorite small star moment was when Glen Hansard (to whom I quote for the title of this blog) and Marketa Irglova accepted their award for best original song for "Falling Slowly" in the movie "Once." What an incredible moment for independant artists! Not only was it an absolutely fantastic movie, (that I highly reccomend) but it was shot on a budget of i believe less than $100,000. (which makes "Little Miss Sunshine" look like "Pirates of the Carribean") It beat out three nominations for the colorful and commercial movie "Enchanted," as well as "August Rush."
Glen and "Mar" are best friends in real life and wrote all the songs for "Once," which they also starred in as the nameless lead roles of "guy" and "girl." They weren't originally even going to act, but they decided to as a favor of their director/friend, John Carney. (who was a member of the band The Frames, with Glen Hansard) They are artists who stay true to their craft and have and incorporated such honesty into their work. I was awed by their genuine delight in receiving the academy's recognition. I think everyone else must have been too.
The startled Glen Hansard took up most of their time allotted for their accepatnce speech and they "played the music" before Marketa Irglova got a chance to get a word in. Thankfully she was given special permission to come back out on to the stage to finish. (which is rarely done for award recipients) When she skipped back to the microphone, she sweetly delivered a speech expressing her immense grattitude for being able to recieve the award and its meaning to her as a truely struggling artist. You could really feel her sincerity in her encouraging tone, and she didn't waste a second of her oppertunity by saying "thank you" to every person she's ever become aquainted with.
With the writer's strike this year that put a cork in the bottle of big business blockbusters, the world of indie film saw a serious boom. The competition for companies to buy smaller, low budget, independant films at festivals like Sundance in Park City, Utah was more feirce this January than ever before. So what does this mean, really? Perhaps nothing, although I'm optimistically pondering that it means a turn around from the popular and ordinary to a realm of something a little more left of center. Entertaiment is growing from every angle.
Perhaps next year, the little gold man will be presented with his arms unfolded. I'm very optimistic. Martin Scorsese could be up against Lance Hammer for best direction. Maybe George Clooney will face the competition of Lou Taylor Pucci. Best actrice - Natalie Portman vs. your aunt Sally from Wall, New Jersey. It's a stretch - but hey, It might just be anybodys game.
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