Those of you who thought Sean Penn’s “Into The Wild” has been overlooked will be happy to hear that the film won Best Feature award at last night’s IFP 17th annual Gotham Awards.
The film, whose budget was too big too be considered for the recent Independent Spirit Award nominations beat out “I’m Not There,” “Margot At The Wedding” and “The Namesake.”
The grossly overlooked music-industry satirical indie, “Great World of Sound” by Craig Zobel is having a great late-fall awards season. Not only did it win Breakthrough Director for filmmaker Zobel (it was also nominated for Best Feature) it also was nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards (including Best First Feature). As you’ll remember the score to this one was composed by Ola Podrida founder/David Gordon Green collaborator David Wingo (you can hear some of it’s twinkling ambient goodness here).
Michael Moore’s almost long-forgotten (what a shame) health-care screed “Sicko” won Best Director and “Juno”‘s Ellen Page beat out Emile Hirsch (“Into The Wild”s lead) for the coveted Best Breakthrough Actor award.
Tribute’s were made to Javier Bardem (“No Country For Old Men“) and film critic Rogert Ebert who is battaling cancer and apparently provided the night’s most moving moment. “When we didn’t know if Roger was going to be here the next day, we got a bunch of movies, independent movies but also studio movies, I’m not going to lie,” Ebert’s wife Chaz said speaking for the ailing moviegoer. “I know how much this man loves movies, he’s still like a kid when he goes into a movie theater.”
17th Annual Gotham Award Winners
Best Feature
“Into The Wild” – Directed by Sean Penn
Best Documentary
“Sicko” – Directed by Michael Moore
Best Ensemble Cast (tie):
“Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” and “Talk To Me“
Breakthrough Director
Craig Zobel for “Great World of Sound”
Breakthrough Actor
Ellen Page in “Juno”
Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You
“Frownland” — Director: Ronald Bronstein