Jane Campion Campaigns For Director Debra Granik To Get An Oscar Nom For 'Leave No Trace'

Every year, during awards season, there are films that seem to get lost in the fray and ultimately forgotten by those folks voting on which are deserving of consideration. It’s not to say that the films are necessarily not good enough for nominations, it’s just because maybe they were released too early in the year, don’t feature any flashy performances, or a variety of other reasons. This year, one of those films is “Leave No Trace.” And according to acclaimed filmmaker Jane Campion, this is completely wrong.

READ MORE: The 25 Best Films Of 2018

In a new statement released to IndieWire, Campion talks about the beautiful, moving drama “Leave No Trace,” which stars Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie, and explains why she feels that the film is easily one of the best of the year and why director Debra Granik should be nominated for an Academy Award.

“Over the last 20 years, Debra has become one of the most important voices in American cinema. And her film ‘Leave No Trace’ is certainly one of the most moving dramas of the year,” writes Campion.

Campion brings up Granik because of the alarming lack of female representation in the Golden Globe Best Director nominations, as well as the AFI top 10 for 2018. Campion has experience as a trailblazing female director, having been the second of five total female directors to be nominated for an Oscar, as well as the only female filmmaker to receive the Palme d’Or at Cannes.

READ MORE: ‘Leave No Trace’ Director Debra Granik Discusses Her Film’s Unique Script And Time’s Up [Interview]

And because of this, she’s taking her position and using it to promote what she (and every other critic, as she points out the film’s 100% Rotten Tomatoes score) feels is a great film worthy of awards recognition.

“After watching ‘Leave No Trace,’ I was moved that in a time of increasing political polarization, Debra reveals the goodness in people,” the filmmaker says. “She doesn’t need villains to tell a compelling story. Whether it’s social workers, youth clubs, church groups, labourers or fringe communities, Debra shows people who are trying to make a difference in other people’s lives. This is a film filled with compassion and I would say with honesty — and it has had a powerful impact on audiences. Not because it is loud. It is delicate and intimate. But because the truth that Granik speaks quietly can be heard even in a noisy world.”

READ MORE: ‘Leave No Trace’ Is An Unforgettable, Universal Experience [Sundance Review]

Will Campion’s appeal work? It’s hard to tell. But if anything, hopefully, the filmmaker is able to shed a bigger spotlight on one of the year’s best films and one of 2018’s best directors.

Here’s the full statement:

The Golden Globes have just nominated 5 men for Best Director. And the AFI have issued their list of 10 Best Films of 2018 without a single film directed by a woman. I haven’t seen all these films, but I do want to reflect on one film that I’ve seen this year which I believe deserves continued attention — Debra Granik’s LEAVE NO TRACE starring Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie.

Over the last 20 years, Debra has become one of the most important voices in American cinema. And her film LEAVE NO TRACE is certainly one of the most moving dramas of the year. It has an extraordinary 100% on Rotten Tomatoes after 200 reviews. Debra’s work with actors is intimate and powerful. She has discovered actors before — or given them the chance to shine in leading roles — including Vera Farmiga in DOWN TO THE BONE; Jennifer Lawrence and John Hawkes in WINTER’S BONE (for which they were both Oscar nominated); and now Ben Foster & Thomasin McKenzie in LEAVE NO TRACE. In this film she has created a context in which McKenzie can exist with a candor and an authenticity rarely seen on screen.

LEAVE NO TRACE is a story between a father and a daughter. Even when it becomes apparent that Will (Ben Foster) might be putting Tom (Thomasin McKenzie) in danger — despite the fact that he believes he’s protecting her — Granik never loses sympathy for her characters or lets us forget what is special in their relationship. She focuses on characters we hardly ever see in films. She’s drawn to outsiders in marginalized communities and has honed a new kind of “social realism” for today.

After watching LEAVE NO TRACE, I was moved that in a time of increasing political polarization, Debra reveals the goodness in people. She doesn’t need villains to tell a compelling story. Whether it’s social workers, youth clubs, church groups, labourers or fringe communities, Debra shows people who are trying to make a difference in other people’s lives. This is a film filled with compassion and I would say with honesty — and it has had a powerful impact on audiences. Not because it is loud. It is delicate and intimate. But because the truth that Granik speaks quietly can be heard even in a noisy world.

I am delighted that Debra has been nominated for Best Director at the Spirit Awards and won Best Director from the LA Film Critics. This is far-sighted recognition. I believe she should be part of the Best Director Oscar conversation.

Jane Campion